Please select your home edition
Edition
Maritimo 2022Mar - S75 LEADERBOARD

2023 UIM F2 World Championship - Rashed aims for fourth world title boost in Italy

by Narayana Marar 28 Aug 03:19 PDT
Mansoor Al Mansoori - Team Abu Dhabi © Team Abu Dhabi

Team Abu Dhabi's Rashed Al Qemzi says he feels no pressure in the battle to become a four-time winner of the UIM F2 World Championship as another tough assignment approaches in the Grand Prix of Italy at the weekend.

The Emirati's recent opening round victory in Lithuania, giving him an immediate five-point championship lead, was achieved in particularly difficult race conditions, as he launched a brand new boat into action for the first time, and faced a formidable line-up of challengers.

With Estonia's Stefan Arand, Monaco's Giacomo Sacchi and British driver Colin Jelf among the hunting pack in Italy, and back-to-back Grand Prix weekends to follow in Portugal later this month, Al Qemzi is taking everything in his stride.

"The championship is very competitive this year, but I don't feel any nerves," said the 2017, 2019, and 2021 F2 champion, who is aiming to extend the sequence to join Sweden's Erik Stark as a four-time title winner. "The aim is for another win, and we'll see how it goes."

"The conditions in Lithuania were very difficult, with big rollers and the weather changing, and we had to make some weight adjustments to the boat. But in the end it was running perfectly, and for Italy we'll just be concentrating on selecting the right propellers."

Prior to Friday's free practice in San Nazzaro, Al Qemzi and team-mate Mansoor Al Mansoori will spend two days testing under the guidance of Team Abu Dhabi manager, Guido Cappellini.

The experience and local knowledge of ten-time F1H2O champion Cappellini will play a big part in helping to keep Al Qemzi on course for another world crown, and in driving Al Mansoori to put behind him a big disappointment in Lithuania.

The Emirati was holding third place before he overturned on the 28th of 35 laps to lose a podium finish, and wants to recover immediately to revive his own championship hopes following last year's third place finish.

"Mansoor was going really well until the accident happened when he was under pressure, and he has put that behind him," said Al Qemzi. "We work very well together, and we'll be helping each other as usual in Italy."

2023 UIM F2 World Championship leading positions:

  1. Rashed Al Qemzi (UAE) 20pts
  2. Stefan Arand (EST) 15
  3. Giacomo Sacchi (MON) 12
  4. Colin Jelf GBR) 9
  5. Samuel Lucas (AUS) 9
  6. Mette Bjerknæs (GBR) 5
  7. Johan Österberg (SWE) 4
  8. Mathilda Wiberg (SWE) 3
  9. Dainis Podžuks (LAT) 2
  10. Edgaras Riabko (LTU) 1

Related Articles

Team Abu Dhabi primed for double UAE challenge
As F1H2O season reaches climax in Sharjah, new Class 3 series gets under way in Khor Fakkan Team Abu Dhabi are primed for a big challenge on two powerboat racing stages as one season begins and another reaches its conclusion in the UAE next week. Posted on 28 Nov
Jonas Andersson wins UIM F1H2O World Championship
Team Abu Dhabi take the fight to Sharjah as Swedes close in on their team crown Sweden's Jonas Andersson clinched the UIM F1H2O World Championship for the second time today with a convincing victory in the Regione Sardegna Grand Prix of Italy. Posted on 1 Oct
Team Abu Dhabi battle to keep title hopes alive
Emirati duo ready for big fight in Sardinia to keep team crown within reach Team Abu Dhabi's Thani Al Qemzi and Rashed Al Qemzi are prepared for a big fight in Sardinia tomorrow to keep alive their team title hopes in the 2023 UIM F1H2O World Championship. Posted on 30 Sep
Thani eyes double target at Regione Sardegna GP
Team Abu Dhabi veteran aims for repeat victory in Olbia, with sights also on team crown There is little that Thani Al Qemzi has not achieved in a remarkable UIM F1H2O World Championship career, and the Team Abu Dhabi star wants to add to his haul of achievements in this weekend's Regione Sardegna Grand Prix of Italy. Posted on 28 Sep
World Champion Rashed wins again
To crown brilliant UIM F2 World Championship season Team Abu Dhabi's Rashed Al Qemzi recorded another emphatic victory in the Grand Prix of Portugal today to round off his fourth triumphant season in the UIM F2 World Championship. Posted on 25 Sep
Brilliant Rashed grabs pole in Portugal
The Emirati driver produced another impressive display to win the seven-boat qualifying shoot-out Team Abu Dhabi's Rashed Al Qemzi underlined his dominance of the 2023 UIM F2 World Championship today with another stunning performance to secure pole position for tomorrow's final Grand Prix of the season in Portugal. Posted on 23 Sep
Rashed aims for grand finale in Portugal
Abu Dhabi duo praise Cappellini for team's winning culture as F2 championship reaches finish line Newly-crowned four-time champion Rashed Al Qemzi and team-mate Mansoor Al Mansoori want to give Team Abu Dhabi a grand finale to the 2023 UIM F2 World Championship in Portugal at the weekend. Posted on 20 Sep
Rashed secures fourth F2 World title
Team Abu Dhabi star crowned again after perfect tactical race Team Abu Dhabi's Rashed Al Qemzi secured his fourth UIM F2 World Championship title today with a perfect tactical drive, as Lithuania's Edgaras Riabko recorded victory at the Grand Prix of Portugal. Posted on 17 Sep
Rashed Al Qemzi survives a test of nerve
To stay on course for F2 world crown in Portugal Team Abu Dhabi's Rashed Al Qemzi survived a test of nerve in Portugal today to stay firmly on course for a fourth drivers' title in the UIM F2 World Championship. Posted on 16 Sep
Rashed aims to clinch 4th world title in Portugal
Team Abu Dhabi star can regain F2 crown with race to spare if he maintains 100% winning record Team Abu Dhabi's Rashed Al Qemzi will leave nothing to chance as he attempts to clinch the UIM F2 World Championship for the fourth time in Portugal at the weekend. Posted on 13 Sep
Marine Resources 2022 - FOOTERMaritimo 2022Mar - S75 FOOTER