Abu Dhabi team hopes for super show in Indonesia – News

Reigning world champion Shaun Torrente aims to create a thriller for a broad audience

Defending champion Shaun Torrente (right) with teammate Thani Al Qemzi. – Photos provided

Defending champion Shaun Torrente is hoping the UIM F1H2O World Championship kicks off a super show tomorrow after qualifying for the Indonesian Grand Prix was postponed due to strong winds today.

The drivers of the Abu Dhabi team were determined to provide the best show and excitement for the huge crowd that gathered around Crater Lake Toba for the opening round of the North Sumatra Championship.

“It’s really tough out there and it’s really impossible to race safely,” said the three-time F1H2O champion. “There were big rollers that were very close together, so it was impossible to get a boat. It was unfortunate because the grounds were unbelievable.

“The amount of support is phenomenal. Free practice this morning, 500,000 to 60,000 people ashore. Just now, when I came in, there were over 100,000 people.

“It’s full of people around the racetrack. I really hope we can put on a good show for them tomorrow.”

Torrent was second fastest in morning practice behind 2021 world champion Jonas Anderson of Sweden, while Team Abu Dhabi’s Tani Alquimzi was fifth. name.

With Al Qemzi leading the lap in the opening practice session 24 hours ago, the Abu Dhabi team are in top form to claim their sixth consecutive F1H2O constructors’ crown.

Their plans for a strong start to the season, as they did last year when they won the first two rounds in Torrent, will not be interrupted by today’s postponement, with qualifying tomorrow morning a few days before the opening of the Indonesian Grand Prix. hours.

“As far as everything being in one day, we’ve done that before,” Torrente said. “We’ll adjust it a little bit. I’m very happy with the boat this morning.

“I had my time in very difficult conditions and Jonas beat me. Nobody beat me in clean water, so I’m really happy. As usual, the team did a good job in terms of preparation. Fine, so forward and upward.”

Torrente and old team-mate Al Qemzi gained extra momentum from their return to the Dubai Victory title, with Erik Stark and Emirati Ahmed Al-Fahim joining Sharjah’s Sami Selio and Ferdinand Zandbergen to form a three-way rivalry for the UAE.