In the Grand Prix a year ago, American driver Shaun Torrente
earned his first victory, chasing his teammate on the Qatar Team
Alex Carella for all but the final two laps. The eventual world titlist
would stop on the circuit with just two laps remaining handing
the Florida driver the victory.
This past March, the roles were reversed, as this time Carella got
the lucky break. Torrente, hoping for a second straight win on
Doha Bay, was forced to bail out of the event when smoke filled
his cockpit with six laps to go pulling off the circuit and watching
his teammate win the event.
Other drivers, hoping to return to the top step and winning for
a second time in Doha are, Ivan Brigada the 2006 winner, now
driving for the South African Caudwell Team, Thani Al Qamzi, the
2007 winner and a member of Team Abu Dhabi, Swedish driver
Jonas Andersson earning his first Grand Prix win here in 2008
and Ahmed Al Hameli of Team Abu Dhabi winner in 2011 his
latest victory on the tour.
Italians have won the race on Doha bay six different times with
three different drivers. Guido Cappellini of Como has won more
than anyone with four while Ivan Brigada and now Alex Carella
have one a piece.
American drivers are next, with three victories beginning with
2008 World Champion Jay Price winning twice back-to-back in
2010 and 2011. Shaun Torrente earned his last year with both
drivers driving with the Qatar Team.
Who will win this November? It’s hard to say but with the
home-standing Qatar Team having won four of the last five and
recently testing meticulously in Florida less than a month before
the Grand Prix of the Middle East on the 15th of November this
could be another local hero’s welcome. It will be interesting to
see how it all plays out either way.
Meanwhile, less than six days later on the 21st of November the
series shifts to the grand setting that is the oldest venue on the
calendar, along the corniche in Abu Dhabi, for the fourth and
penultimate round in the 2014 championship.
The 23rd race in the 21 year history of the longest standing
Grand Prix on the UIM F1H2O World Championship calendar,
will see defending pole sitting and winning driver Sami Selio of
Finland try to re-establish himself as the world’s best and most
consistent driver as the 39 year-old from Helsinki chases glory
once again in his brand new Italian built BABA boat.
Sami is the second most successful driver along the corniche
H20 MAGAZINE - NOVEMBER 2014 | 9
h2oracing.net
