Andersson on Sharjah pole, sets up Torrente title clash
Shaun Torrente readying for an epic battle in the Grand Prix of Sharjah to retain his world title.
Defending champion Torrente carries a five-point lead over Andersson into the final round of the season and knows he faces a huge fight to retain the F1H2O crown after finishing fifth in today’s six-boat qualifying shoot-out.
In order to snatch away the title, Andersson must earn six more points than Torrente who clinched the championship in Sharjah last season by finishing third.
“I had to go first in the shoot-out and water wasn’t exactly flat, but that was my fault for being sixth in Q2,” said Torrente, who had set his sights on a third pole position of the season.
“The first lap was ok but it was still choppy. The second lap was awesome and I was way ahead of my time on the computer, but I just messed it up a little at the end. So we have a lot of work to do on Saturday. But I won the championship here last year after starting seventh.”
Andersson celebrated jubilantly with his team at the end of the shoot-out, but Team Abu Dhabi manager Guido Cappellini said earlier in the week that Torrente, crucially, knows what it takes to win the world title, and the American has the chance to prove that in dramatic fashion on Saturday.
France’s three-times world champion Philippe Chiappe was second fastest in the shoot-out ahead of Swede Erik Stark, with Team Abu Dhabi’s Thani Al Qemzi qualifying in fourth as he looks to claim third place overall in the championship.
Torrente and Al Qemzi are also in a commanding position to retain their world team title, heading into the final round holding a 28-point advantage over Team Sweden.
Earlier, day one saw Timed Trials F4 race and the first round of F4 Race Day 1 attracting many visitors, adrenaline junkies and water sports enthusiasts from around the world. The events of the Sharjah World Championship Week 2019 form part of SCTDA’s efforts to highlight Sharjah’s competitiveness as an ideal venue to host sporting events of global scale, which has enabled it to host major international sports events and consolidate its position as a global tourist destination and a hub for various high-level sporting, cultural and entertainment events and programs.
The exciting series of races forms part of the activities of the Sharjah World Championship Week 2019, which runs until December 21, 2019. Now in its 20th edition, the Championship attracts some of the most renowned speed boat riders from around the world to showcase their professional skills and compete for the world championship titles.
Final qualifying results:
1. Jonas Andersson Team Sweden 45.26
2. Philippe Chiappe CTIC F1 Shenzhen 45.31
3. Erik Stark Victory Team 45.45
4. Thani Al Qemzi Team Abu Dhabi 45.47
5. Shaun Torrente Team Abu Dhabi 46.25
6. Sami Selio Sharjah Team 46.47
UIM F1H2O World Championship standings
1. Shaun Torrente 64pts
2. Jonas Andersson 59
3. Marit Stromoy 37
4. Thani Al Qemzi 27
5. Alex Carella 25
6. Peter Morin 23
Team standings
1. Team Abu Dhabi 91pts
2. Team Sweden 69pts
3. Emirates Racing 51pts
4. CTIC F1 Shenzhen China 38pts
