Please select your home edition
Edition
Maritimo 2023 S-Series LEADERBOARD

Swede Jonas Andersson rounds off a triumphant season in the UIM F1H2O World Championship

by Narayan Marar 10 Dec 2023 05:20 PST
Team Abu Dhabi's Thani Al Qemzi in actioin in the Grand Prix of Sharjah © Team Abu Dhabi

Swede Jonas Andersson rounded off a triumphant season in the UIM F1H2O World Championship today with victory in the Grand Prix of Sharjah, as Team Abu Dhabi's Thani Al Qemzi grabbed a podium place in a dramatic finish.

Andersson, who clinched the individual driver's crown in Sardinia two months ago, recorded his fourth victory in a row, and clinched the F1H2O team championship for Team Sweden in partnership with Kalle Viippo, who finished fifth on the day.

Victory Team's Erik Stark took second place to finish runner-up in the championship, while Al Qemzi, who had helped Team Abu Dhabi dominate the team title race five seasons in a row, snatched third spot from China CTIC Team's Peter Morin by half a boat length on the finish line.

Morin took third place in the series ahead of Sharjah Team's Ferdinand Zandbergen, who had begun the race lying second in the championship, but made an early exit.

Andersson was in control from start to finish after winning the previous day's spectacular battle for pole position with Team Abu Dhabi's three-time world champion, Shaun Torrente.

Torrente, was unable to race following his accident during the second of Saturday's afternoon sprint races. But he was reunited with his team today after spending the night in hospital, and undergoing extensive medical tests.

He saw his two Abu Dhabi team-mates produce strong finishes to the season after both were disappointed during qualifying, while Team Abu Dhabi also finished runners up in the team championship.

As his cousin, Thani, climbed from seventh place at the start to gain another podium and fifth place overall in the championship, Rashed Al Qemzi, the four-time F2 world champion, gained three places to finish in the top ten.

Torrente was visited in hospital, and driven back to his team hotel, by Victory Team's Ahmad Al Fahim. The accident happened when Torrente's boat was clipped by Al Fahim's, and then collided with the Mad Croc Gillman Racing boat of Finnish driver Filip Roms's.

Initially, Fahim was given a red card and disqualified. This was later downgraded to a yellow, but a yellow from the previous round in Sardinia meant that Al-Fahim still missed the race through suspension.

"We had a good talk, and it was nice to speak to him, so that we had a chance to figure it all out," said Torrente. "I don't remember much after the accident, but I'm grateful to Guido (team manager Cappellinni), my team-mates, the rescue team, and everyone at the hospital."

Torrente had lunch with team-mates and visited the pits beside Khalid Lagoon before the race. He was flying home to the US as scheduled early tomorrow, but said he was looking forward to another new season in the UIM F1H2O World Championship.

Related Articles

Team Abu Dhabi aim for turnaround in China
Team boss expecting a big response from Al Qemzi, Comparato as title race returns to Shanghai Team Abu Dhabi are looking to turn their season around in the 2024 UIM F1H2O World Championship starting with a big performance by Thani Al Qemzi and Alberto Comparato in the Grand Prix of Shanghai, China at the weekend. Posted on 2 Oct
Rashed into record books with World Title No.5
Team Abu Dhabi star rounds off another triumphant season with victory in Portugal Team Abu Dhabi's Rashed Al Qemzi has become the most successful driver in the history of the UIM F2 World Championship after clinching the driver's title for a fifth time with a commanding victory in Portugal. Posted on 23 Sep
Rashed moves within reach of record
Securing pole position for the Grand Prix of Portugal Team Abu Dhabi's Rashed Al Qemzi moved within reach of a record fifth UIM F2 World Championship title today as Monaco's Giacomo Sacchi secured pole position for the Grand Prix of Portugal. Posted on 21 Sep
Team Abu Dhabi duo set for tense battle
To decide world title race at UIM F2 Worlds Team Abu Dhabi's Rashed Al Qemzi and Mansoor Al Mansoori are primed for a tense climax to UIM F2 World Championship in Portugal this weekend which could see either of them crowned world champion on Sunday. Posted on 18 Sep
Mansoori claims victory in Portugal
As Al Qemzi retains lead in UIM F2 World Championship title race Team Abu Dhabi's Mansoor Al Mansoori recorded a convincing victory in the Grand Prix of Portugal today as team-mate Rashed Al Qemzi stayed on course for a record fifth title triumph in the UIM F2 World Championship. Posted on 15 Sep
Mansoor grabs pole position
As title race takes a twist in Portugal Team Abu Dhabi's Mansoor Al Mansoori upstaged team-mate and hot favourite Rashed Al Qemzi to secure pole position for tomorrow's Grand Prix of Portugal, penultimate round of the UIM F2 World Championship. Posted on 14 Sep
Rashed stays focused
As place in record books beckons Team Abu Dhabi's Rashed Al Qemzi is taking nothing for granted as he returns to the scene of his latest title triumph in the UIM F2 World Championship this weekend, with a place in the record books beckoning in Portugal. Posted on 11 Sep
Rashed wins in Italy to regain lead in title race
World champion scores second victory of the season World champion scores second victory of the season as Al Mansoori makes it another 1-2 triumph for Team Abu Dhabi. Posted on 2 Sep
Rashed clinches Grand Prix of Italy pole position
World champion leads Team Abu Dhabi 1-2 and has perfect chance to reclaim lead in title race Team Abu Dhabi's Rashed Al Qemzi gave himself the ideal opportunity to reclaim the lead in the 2024 UIM F2 World Championship title race today by securing pole position for the Grand Prix of Italy. Posted on 31 Aug
Rashed aims to reclaim lead in World Title Race
Team Abu Dhabi star targets another win in Italy to move back on track for fifth F2 crown Team Abu Dhabi's Rashed Al Qemzi is in a hurry to regain the lead in the 2024 UIM F2 World Championship and says he will settle for nothing less than victory in the Grand Prix of Italy at the weekend. Posted on 28 Aug
Maritimo 2023 M600 FOOTERTrinidad and Tobago - Sail Service Stay