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F1H2O
he UIM F1H2O World
Championship returned
to London for the first
time in 33 years for
round 2 of the 2018
campaign in June.
The Grand Prix of
London took place
at the historic Royal
Victoria
Dock,
the
fourth time the capital
and the venue has
hosted a round of the
championship and the
first time since 1985.
The 1.72km end-to-end two-pin oval circuit
provided a very different challenge for the
drivers, its enclosed dock walls creating a
cauldron of water with tricky winds blowing
erratically around the track adding to the test.
Heading the line-up of 20 drivers from 12
countries was championship leader Shaun
Torrente, looking to build on his perfect start
to the season in Portimao at the Grand Prix of
Portugal in May, qualifying in pole position and
leading home Thani Al Qemzi to complete a
Team Abu Dhabi one-two.
Leading the impressive list of challengers
looking to halt the Abu Dhabi juggernaut was
three-time world champion Philippe Chiappe
sitting in third place in the points, his CTIC F1
Shenzhen China teammate Peter Morin in fifth
and splitting the Victory Team duo, defending
and four-time world champion Alex Carella and
Ahmed Al Hameli.
Maverick Racing retained the services of Erik
Stark and ran a third boat with NorwegianMette
Brandt Bjerknaes joining Cedric Deguisne’s
French outfit, the 29-year-old stepping up
from F2 and Endurance Racing to make her
F1H2O debut and swelling the ranks of women
competing in the top-flight of circuit racing to
three, joining her fellow countrywoman Marit
Stromoy and Germany’s Simone Schuft.
Friday afternoon was the first opportunity for
the drivers to tentatively test the waters and
get used to the narrow circuit in an untimed
session, with race and event officials evaluating
the circuit for a possible rolling start come race
day.
T
n° 3 SEPTEMBER | 2018
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