Team AD’s Torrente aims to boost title hopes in double header in Xiamen

The battle for the coveted drivers’ world title is perfectly poised as the UIM F1H2O World Championship returns to Xiamen in China for the first time since 1997 for a spectacular double header with the Grand Prix of Xiamen taking place on Saturday, followed by the Grand Prix of China on Sunday.

Just eight points splits the top three in the world championship standings and with 60 points on offer from the remaining three rounds and 40 of them on offer in Xiamen, this weekend takes on even greater significance and could prove to be key to the eventual outcome of the title race, leaving the door open for an elite few and slamming it firmly shut for the majority ahead of the final round in Sharjah in December.

Defending champion Shaun Torrente of Team Abu Dhabi has a slender advantage and tops the standings on 35 points, just three precious points his margin over Jonas Andersson – each with a win and a podium apiece this season.

Team Abu Dhabi is comfortably out front in the Teams Championship and looks strong in all departments with two drivers at the top of their games, Thani Al Qemzi’s two podiums putting him right up there in the title fight and in third spot just eight points off team-mate Torrente.

Mixing it up at the front is Team Amaravati’s Andersson who is enjoying a stellar vein of form and carrying the fight to the Abu Dhabi outfit and a real threat as he looks to ramp up his challenge for a first world title, his team-mate Erik Edin hoping to go the distance and bank some points after two frustrating races.

Emirates Racings’ Marit Stromoy and CTIC F1 Shenzhen China driver Peter Morin must be on top of their game to keep in touch with the lead trio. After trading places in the last two outings they sit tied in fourth on 16 points, with Stromoy arguably looking the most menacing.

She has posed a real threat in qualifying taking third quickest in Portugal and second in France and if she can get her start nailed and not drop places off the dock will be in contention to mix it up at the front for the podium and win in Xiamen, her team-mate Bartek Marsalek rounding out the top six with two points finishes, Morin’s team-mate and three-time champion Philippe Chiappe looking to get off the mark after a frustrating season, but lining up in Xiamen coming off the back of taking pole position in Evian.