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Chiappe, at 53 and a veteran of 108
Grand Prix, is looking to emulate 10-time
champion Guido Cappellini
n the year that the sport’s World Governing Body the
Union Internationale Motonautique (UIM) celebrates
its 95th anniversary, its flag ship international series, the
UIM F1H2O World Powerboat Championship, which has
spanned four decades sets out on its 34th season and sees
H2ORacing’s president, Nicolo di San Germano, celebrate
his 25th anniversary as its promoter.
The entry of nine teams and 19 drivers from 12 countries that are set to
go head-to-head is loaded with talent, boasting three world champions and
eight drivers who have taken Grand Prix victories.
2016 will be a hard act to follow and one that undoubtedly belonged to
Frenchman Phillipe Chiappe who sealed a third successive world drivers’
title with two Grand Prix wins and four podiums, as well as winning the
BRMPole Position Championship, the Fast lap Trophy and guiding CTIC F1
Shenzhen China to the Team’s Championship.
But his apparent dominance and clean sweep of titles masked a thrilling and
enthralling season, which bodes well for 2017 with a raft of drivers capable
of and intent on dethroning him.
Over the course of last year’s seven Grand Prix, six drivers from six teams
picked up race wins. Five drivers topped the time sheets in BRMQualifying,
with four different boat manufacturers, Moore, BABA, DAC and Molgaard
all gracing the top step, which further cemented the UIM F1H2O World
Championship’s stature as theworld’s number one international powerboat
series as it eagerly looks forward to another vintage year.
Seven Grand Prix across Europe, China, Asia and the United Arab Emirates
are announced for 2017, and for the eighth time in the championship’s
history the season-opener will take place in Portimao at the 16th Grand
Prix of Portugal, the 15th to be held on the Arade River. From there the
championship heads north to the idyllic spa resort of Evian, France, on the
shores of Lac Leman for its third visit.
From Europe the tour heads east to China for its 16th year of racing and a
return to Harbin, the capital and largest city of Heilongjiang province in the
North East, with a second race in China and a race in Asia to be announced.
The championship will climax at its two most traditional and established
venues in Abu Dhabi and Sharjah which boast hosting 41 Grand Prix
between them.
In one of the busiest and most unpredictable pre-seasons in terms of line
ups, who goes where and drives for who, a late burst of multiple driver
reshuffles has already added extra spice and intrigue to the season ahead.
As three-time world champion Philippe Chiappe sets out on the defence
of his title, the France-based CTIC F1 Shenzhen China Team confirmed
an all-French line up, with Peter Morin set to make his F1H2O debut and
is brought into the team to take over the seat of Xiong Ziwei, who remains
with the team as reserve driver along with NelsonMorin.
Chiappe, at 53 and a veteran of 108 Grand Prix, is looking to emulate 10-
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F1H2O
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n° 1April | 2017