[ad_1]
Shaun Torrente maintains title lead despite late drama as Emirati Thani Al Qemzi remains in the chase
Abu Dhabi’s Shaun Torrente (left). – Photos provided
After a dramatic climax at the Sharjah Grand Prix, Abu Dhabi’s Sean Torrent will hold a three-point lead over Jonas Anderson in Sunday’s final round of the 2022 UIM F1H2O World Championship.
Torrente looked to be heading towards second behind defending champion Anderson, but an electrical problem later caused him to lose momentum and lose four positions in the closing laps, setting the stage for a tense climax to Khalid Lagoon’s season.
Thani Al Qemzi of Abu Dhabi. – Photos provided
Anderson’s start-to-finish win from pole may have given him momentum, but two-time world champion Torrent will be looking to bounce back from a sixth-place disappointment to claim a third F1H2O title.
Abu Dhabi veteran Thani Al Qemzi still has a chance of claiming a first world title despite his own mechanical difficulties in qualifying, where he sits third in the standings, seven behind Anderson. point.
The uncertainty surrounding elite World Championship powerboat racing, and the unpredictable history of seasons in Sharjah, means the title remains very much in the balance and the UAE certainly cannot be underestimated.
Torrente needs no reminders that in Sharjah in 2019 he snatched the world title away from Anderson, finishing second behind the Swede on the final lap and beating him in the countdown.
Already clinching their fifth consecutive world team title, both Abu Dhabi team-mates will go all out for pole position on Sunday, looking for a key advantage going into the final round of the championship, the Grand Prix Middle East, at three hours Rear.
Torrente’s electrical problems today put Sharjah Team’s Sami Selio, Pole Bartek Marszalek, Finn Alec Weckstrom and Italian Alberto Comparato ahead of him when the 2018 and 2019 world champions looked set to finish second.
Until that final drama, the American looked to be in control of second place and extended a 13-point championship lead into Sunday. It all unfolded in another fascinating power struggle on Sunday afternoon at the spectacular 2,057-meter Sharjah circuit between the two drivers who have dominated the past three F1H2O championships, which the Emirati star has been trying to win for 20 years. world champion.
Sharjah Grand Prix lead
1. Jonas Anderson
2. Samiselio + 08.51
3. Bartek Marsalek + 23.90
4. Alec Wakestrom +31.97
5. Alberto Copalato + 35.63
6. Sean Torrent +43.28
7. Tani Gamez + 45.43
8. Philippe Chiappe + 1 lap
2022 UIM F1H2O World Championship Leaderboards
1. Shaun Torrente (United Arab Emirates) 69 points
2. Jonas Anderson (Sweden) 66 points
3. Thani Al Qemzi (UAE) 59 points
4. Alec Weckström (Finland) 39 points
5. Ferdinand Zandbergen (NED) 34 points
6. Peter Morin (France) 21 points
[ad_2]
Source link