Abu Dhabi lead in title race – News

Three-time world champion Torrent fights back from fourth

Sean Torrent of Abu Dhabi. – Photos provided

Shaun Torrente and Rashed Al Qemzi teamed up to round out the Zhengzhou Grand Prix for Team Abu Dhabi and Sweden’s Jonas Andersson won the second round of the UIM F1H2O World Championship in China.

Three-time world champion Torrent battled his way from fourth on the grid to second behind Anderson as the Swede claimed an impressive start-to-finish win from pole.

With Al Qemzi finishing seventh after holding onto fourth at halftime, the Abu Dhabi duo are at the top of the race for the world team title they have won over the past five seasons.

After losing pole position 24 hours ago, his best lap time was wiped out due to violations, and defending UIM F1H2O champion Torrente has always encountered it when trying to catch Anderson.

He made his intentions clear from the start, moving up two positions on the first lap, but was unable to beat his world champion in dramatic fashion in Sharjah last December.

Now fourth in the championship, less than six points behind Anderson, Torrent will enjoy another chance to challenge for the title at the French Grand Prix in two months’ time.

Team-mate Al Qemzi completed the race weekend and his reputation was confirmed as a rising talent after representing his cousin, veteran driver Thani Al Qemzi.