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Chasing first F1H2O drivers’ crown, Emirates need to erase nine-point lead held by team-mate Sean Torrent heading into Sharjah Grand Prix doubleheader
Thani Al Qemzi of Abu Dhabi. – Photos provided
Team Abu Dhabi’s Thani Al Qemzi says he will do everything he can to secure the coveted title when the 2022 UIM F1H2O World Championship finals take place in Sharjah this weekend.
Chasing their first F1H2O driver’s crown, the Emirates enter the Sharjah Grand Prix doubleheader, needing to erase a nine-point lead held by team-mate Shaun Torrente and hold off a challenge from defending Swedish champion Jonas Anderson ( Another big challenge from Jonas Andersson came third.
Al Qemzi, a three-time Khalid Lagoon champion, is delighted to have the opportunity to end his 20-year wait to be crowned world champion in the UAE’s home waters and hand Abu Dhabi their fifth consecutive team title.
“I hope this is the season where I achieve my goal of becoming a world champion,” said the veteran driver. “It will be difficult, but I will give everything to make my dream come true.
“Khalid Lagoon is one of the most beautiful places we race and for me one of the best tracks. It gives you options and the car is always very fast. Of course I want to win for myself but I also want to win the team championship again with Sean.”
Al Qemzi gave himself a fighting chance with a superb win in the penultimate round of the Italian Championship in October.
His first goal was a record-breaking fourth grand prix win in Sharjah on Friday, setting off a dramatic climax in Sunday’s final race of the season.
Torrent, who claimed the 2018 and 2019 world titles in dramatic fashion in Sharjah but failed to win the final grand prix, added two more podiums after victories in France and Italy, taking the Top of the standings for the season.
“I’ve had a really good season,” said the 2016 Sharjah champion. “I’ve been on the podium at every race and if I keep doing that I have a good chance of winning a third world title.
“I love racing in Sharjah. But at the same time, both Thani and Jonas have had success there.
We’ve all won races there, so it’s been a lot of fun. Obviously, I want to win the first race and really lock it in, maybe even take the title, but we’ll see.
In preparation for Sharjah, Torrente and Al Qemzi underwent intensive training together in Abu Dhabi under the guidance of team manager Guido Cappellini.
“Thani is my closest rival, but we will keep our friendship and rivalry within the team and push each other,” Torrente said. “If anyone else is going to win the title, I hope it’s Thani. But I really want my third title and I’m going to fight for it.
“Jonas will always be a threat until he’s mathematically eliminated. We’re going to play one game at a time and hopefully come out on top and win the title.”
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