San Nazzaro, Italy: Mr. Thani Al Qamzi of Team Abu Dhabi is gearing up for his 150th race start at the upcoming Grand Prix of France in Macon as he continues his pursuit of winning the F1H2O World Championship. The experienced Emirati driver, who has previously finished as the championship runner-up twice and secured third place on six occasions, is feeling optimistic after two days of testing in San Nazarro, Italy, alongside his teammate and defending world champion, Mr. Shaun Torrente.
Mr. Al Qamzi expressed his confidence, stating, “We’ve been preparing in Italy on a course that is similar to the one in Macon, with the same dimensions and turns, so I’m feeling good. While I am trying to score my first individual drivers’ championship, I am also working with Shaun to defend our world team title.”
Having made his debut in the F1H2O series back in 2000, Mr. Al Qamzi is not only focused on securing his first individual drivers’ championship but also working with Torrente to defend their world team title. With ten career Grand Prix victories and 43 podium finishes to his credit, Mr. Al Qemzi currently lies ninth in this year’s championship, 16 points adrift of leader Mr. Jonas Andersson.
The Emirati driver returning to action in France after missing round two in China, taking over in Abu Dhabi 2 from cousin Mr. Rashed Al Qemzi, the three-time UIM F2 champion, who resumes as the reserve driver. Mr. Torrente, lying fourth in the standings, six points away from Mr. Andersson, has set his sights on an even better return than last year in Macon, where he took victory ahead of his team-mate.
“Macon was a great race for the team last year, we finished first and second, but I just missed pole position, so I’d like to get pole this year. We’ve done some good testing, so we’re all set now. The team have done a great job preparing the engines over the last year. We’re not changing much on the boat, but we’re trying to adjust the propeller and engines for the new regulations. That’s what our focus has been here in Italy,” Mr. Torrente remarked.
“So far this season has been mixed for me. For the first two rounds we run really well, but unfortunately we have just made some mistakes. I gave away a win in Toba, and then in China we gave away pole which ended up costing us the win. After everything is said and done, I’m just six points off the lead, so I’m feeling pretty good. With a good weekend in Macon, I can be leading the championship,” the world champion added.
On Al Qemzi’s prospects of a first world driver’s title, Mr. Torrente observed that, “I always see a chance for Thani to win the championship. He’s in the same equipment that I’m in, so he has just as good a chance as I do. He just needs to remain focused, and keep putting up the good fight. This championship is so jumbled up right now, and he can still challenge for the title.”
UIM F1H2O World Championship leading positions
- Jonas Andersson – 23 points
- Erik Stark – 21 points
- Bartek Marszalek – 20 points
- Shaun Torrente – 17 points
- Sami Selio – 15 points
- Ferdinand Zandbergen – 12 points
- Filip Roms – 11 points
- Peter Morin – 9 points
- Thani Al Qemzi – 7 points
- Brent Dillard – 6 points