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Al Hameli’s return to form and to the top step of the podium in
qualifying and his race win Liuzhou was one of the highlights of 2016,
but the Abu Dhabi resident, who has won seven Grand Prix, taken a
further 11 podium finishes and started form pole ten times, will be
hoping his 2017 season is not as blighted with as many technical
issues and crashes as he looks to improve on a career-best ever fourth
overall in the championship standings. He starts in Portimoa looking
for his third win in the Algarve.
Teammate Torrentemust surely bewondering if theworld title is ever
going to come hisway after coming so close on several occasions – but
could 2017 be his year?
One of only two drivers to score points in every Grand Prix in 2016
and the only driver to carry the title fight to Chiappe to the last
race, he was by far the most consistent performer last season with
a win, three thirds and three fourth-placed finishes to end the year
as championship runner-up for the second time, also finishing third
overall twice.
Torrente is a fierce competitor and will be expecting to be challenging
for race honours from the outset and looking to add to his CV of 17
podiums, including four wins and three pole positions from 34 GP
starts.
It is no surprise that Norway’s Marit Stromoy enjoys and relishes
returning to Portimoa, the venuewhere she claimed her first and only
pole position in 2011, but she will be hoping for a big improvement on
overall results in 2017 after a disappointing tenth overall last season
with just three top-six finishes as she goes in search of her second
Grand Prix victory.
Mike Szymura starts his second term in the top-flight after a cautious
but solid debut season picking up four points and will again run a
Teammate Torrente must surely be wondering if
the world title is ever going to come his way after
coming so close on several occasions – but could
2017 be his year?
F1H2O
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