qualified fifth in his Team Sweden boat just ahead of veteran
Francesco Cantando who was racing for his 19th time in the
Peoples Republic since 1996 reaching sixth on the starting grid.
A big surprise was Swedish rookie Erik Stark. He earned seventh
in his Team Nautica boat in just his fourth career F1 start ahead of
French star Philippe Chiappe and all the pressure that goes with
being a member of the CTIC China Team at a home Grand Prix.
Team Abu Dhabi rounded out the top ten with teammate Thani
Al Qamzi just ahead of Ahmed Al Hameli with Al Qamzi looking
to win in China for the second time in his career.
Race-day was hot and humid with light winds. Right from the
start it was Alex Carella leading ahead of Al Rubayan who had
moved up into second but later was ruled to have jump started
early by the judges and would be docked a lap eliminating him
from any shot at a podium finish.
Taking up the chase to Carella was two-time World Champion
Sami Selio. Sami moved up into second place but couldn’t keep
the pace with Carella in his own brand new BABA boat. He was
their in second place spot until his fuel pump started acting up
dropping him to eighth by races end.
The drive of the day came from rookie Erik Stark. He completed
his first career race runner-up to Carella and on the podium after
starting seventh position in only his fourth race start.
Another great performance came from American Shaun
Torrente. The Qatar Team driver charged from his 15th starting
position to finish just outside the top-three in fourth 1.6 seconds
behind Team Abu Dhabi’s Thani Al Qamzi who reached the final
step on the podium in his first race of the season.
Polish youngster Bartek Marszalek had a career day for the
Motorglass F1 Team coming home fifth after starting 12th in his
11th career start.
There was a sad early finish for two veteran drivers who collected
each other at the commitment buoy, ending both Duarte
Benavente and Francesco Cantando’s dreams of victory.
Now it’s off to Doha for the second time this season.
With the recent China victory the young Carella moves another
step to tying the all-time championship streak of four years in a
row that is held by fellow Italian Guido Cappellini.
The Qatar Team is taking this 15th Grand Prix event very seriously.
The last time we saw them they were heading all the way to
Florida to do more testing to get ready for a very important
Grand Prix of the Middle East in front of their hometown fans on
Doha Bay on the 15th of November.
Let’s see if all their hard work pays off this time as well.
H20 MAGAZINE - NOVEMBER 2014 | 15
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