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Teammate Thani Al Qemzi finishes third in the tournament
Shaun Torrente of Team Abu Dhabi. – Photos provided
After a dramatic end to the 2022 season at the Middle East Grand Prix in Sharjah, Team Abu Dhabi’s Shaun Torrente claimed his third Drivers’ Championship today in the UIM F1H2O World Championship.
Torrente thought his title hopes were dashed after just eight of 38 laps when he brushed past Poland’s Bartek Marszalek and inevitably collided with teammate Thani Al Qemzi, sending the two Abu Dhabi The boat is out of the race.
Sweden’s Jonas Andersson was in the race before a technical problem on lap 28 forced him to retire Taking the lead, he looked on track for a second straight race win to retain his world title.
His departure paved the way for France’s three-time former world champion Philippe Chiappe to win the Khalid Lagoon race in the final race of his illustrious career.
For Torrent, who won back-to-back world championships in 2018 and 2019, today’s championship is due to his victories in the first two rounds of the season in France and Italy, as well as the support of consecutive podiums.
Thani Al Qemzi of Abu Dhabi. – Photos provided
For Al Qemzi, who finished third in the standings behind Andersson, the wait for a first world driver’s victory continues, although his desire for success is unquestionable, two months ago in Sardinia Island winning the Grand Prix speaks for itself.
The dynamic Abu Dhabi duo have captured their fifth consecutive team title for the UAE capital, with today’s match kicking off the final three qualifying stages of the season.
With Chiappe on pole, Andersson secured an initial race advantage by qualifying Torrente in third. Three points behind Torrente and seven short of Al Qemzi at the start of the title showdown, the Swede got off to a perfect start, overtaking Chiappe all the way into the first leg.
Six laps later, the start of Finn Filip Roms brought a yellow flag. Just two laps after the restart, the drivers’ crown appeared to be back in Sweden following an inevitable crash between Torrente and Al Qemzi, neither of whom was injured.
But Friday’s Sharjah Grand Prix winner Anderson apparently had mechanical problems in qualifying and they ended up catching him.
Middle East Leading Awards
1. Philippe Chiappe
2. Bartek Marshall + 02.73
3. Alberto Copalato + 17.48
4. Alec Weckstrom +23.57
5. Kalle Viippo + 28.90
6. Cedric DeGina + 50.17
7. Benjerf + 2 laps
8. Alexandre Bourgeois + 2 laps
World Championship Ranking
1. Shaun Torrente (UAE) 69 points
2. Jonas Anderson (Sweden) 66 points
3. Thani Al Qemzi (UAE) 59 points
4. Alec Weckstrom (Finland) 48 points
5. Ferdinand Zandbergen (NED) 34 points
6. Philippe Chiappe (France) 33 points
7. Bartek Marszalek (Poland) 33 points
8. Alberto Comparato (Italy) 26 points
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