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I
f there was a truly refreshing statement
of the last 2014 campaign it was that the
UIM F1H2O World Championship saw
a true, veteran personality take the top
step as the New World Champion, after
what wasn’t an easy journey, Frenchman
Philippe Chiappe.
The 51-year-old fought for his ultimate goal,
becoming known as the world’s best driver
after winning the F1 H2O title in Sharjah last
December. It took him 12 years and 92 races
to accomplish it.
Philippe was no “hot shot” youngster who
walked in and turned the series on its ear, like
his predecessor Alex Carella did. The talented
Italian Carella rode the wave of three straight
World titles from2011 thru 2013 as amember
of the Qatar Team and who is not yet 30 years
old.
No, this veteran earned it the hardway, pushing
himself, his CTIC China Team and his boat
builder David Moore to strive in their goal to
get better and better each season throughout
his 12 year career in F1H2O.
His determination has become infectious
within the team and guided by his longtime
friend and mentor Philippe Dessertenne, a
Grand Prix winner himself back in 2002 at the
Grand Prix of Finland, they together with Team
Manager Eric Chan have made the CTICChina
Team a powerhouse in the sport. “We are
overwhelmed with our success that we have
been able to establish in the past few seasons,”
stated the driver from Rouen. “We have been
able to correct our weaknesses and focused
on one situation at a time, whether back in the
racing shop in France or in the racing paddock
at a Grand Prix.
“Our secret is that we have a talented veteran
crew of individuals who have been together for
many years and work as a group and almost as
one individual at once to make things happen.”
Young teammate to Chiappe, Chinese driver
Xiong “Leo” Ziwei, finished his second full
season still learning the nuances of the sport.
His 2014 got off to a hot start with a pair of
top-10 performances earning eight points on
the season and 14th in the championship but
a new year should show even more confidence
in his rapidly growing driver skills.
This truly professional racing team with a
strong Chinese-French connection for success
looks for a repeat in 2015 and why not, they
have the talent, attitude and budget to make it
happen.
Let’s see if they don’t fall into that “sophomore
slump” that some teams do after winning a title.
These people will do their best for a repeat so
don’t bet against them.
F1H2O
CTIC CHINA TEAM HAS ONE THING
IN MIND – A REPEAT IN 2015!
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