Thani Al Qemzi ready for huge test in China as he aims to make F1H2O World title dream come true 15.10.2019: Abu Dhabi veteran Al Qemzi says team comes first but his sights are set on F1H2O crown photo caption: Thani Al Qemzi and Shaun Torrente - team-mates and both chasing the drivers’ crown

Abu Dhabi veteran Al Qemzi says team comes first but his sights are set on F1H2O crown




photo caption: Thani Al Qemzi and Shaun Torrente - team-mates and both chasing the drivers’ crown


Team Abu Dhabi’s Thani Al Qemzi is ready for one of the biggest tests of his long powerboat racing career in China this weekend as he chases his dream to win the UIM F1H2O World Championship.



With two qualifying sessions and two Grand Prix being sandwiched into the space of 24 hours and 40 points at stake, Al Qemzi and reigning world champion team-mate Shaun Torrente know the battle for honours could be won and lost in the crucial double header in Xiamen.



Lying third in the title race behind leader Torrente and Sweden’s Jonas Andersson, the vastly experienced Al Qemzi, who made his race debut back in 2000, is determined to end his wait for the world crown, with the final round of the series to follow in Sharjah in December.



“I think I can make my dream come true this year because I have a big opportunity to win the world title,” said the veteran Emirati driver. “With back to back races like this the biggest worry is that a crash or a mechanical problem could mean goodbye to the title.

photo caption: Al Qemzi - aiming to make his F1H2O dream come true





“But it’s rare for me to crash and I’ve been preparing myself for what’s ahead. It’s going to be a really tough weekend and we have to be fully focused in the qualifiers and the two races and leave nothing to chance.”



The bond between Al Qemzi and Torrente is strong as they fight for the driver’s championship and at the same time look to deliver a second successive world team title to Abu Dhabi International Marine Sports Club.


“For me the team comes first and it’s the same for Shaun, and we all work hard together,” said Al Qemzi. “But I also have my own ambitions and if I have a chance to win the title I’ll take it.”



Like Torrente, Al Qemzi has scored eight Grand Prix victories in his career, along with 38 podium finishes out of 135 race starts. He finished world championship runner-up in 2009 to his current Team Abu Dhabi boss Guido Cappellini.



Also facing a crucial weekend in Xiamen are Team Abu Dhabi’s Mohammed Al Mehairbi and Rashed Al Remeithi who are both aiming to boost their challenge in the F4-S series ahead of the season’s climax in the UAE.



The dramatic weekend ahead, which sees Saturday’s Grand Prix of Xiamen being followed on Sunday by the Grand Prix of China, was created by the postponement of the Grand Prix of next month’s round in India.




photo caption:Torrente - the world champion is still the man to catch




Drivers standings

1. Shaun Torrente    UAE    35pts
2. Jonas Andersson    SWE    32 pts
3. Thani Al Qemzi    UAE     27pts
4. Peter Morin        FRA    16pts
5. Marit Stromoy    SWE    16pts
6. Bartek Marszalek    POL    8pts



Team standings

1. Team Abu Dhabi        62pts
2. Team Amaravati        32pts
3. Emirates Racing        24pts
4. CTIC F1 Shenzhen China    16pts




- Tony Lewis, Total Communications Dubai - also photos