Tough clashes on cards as Sharjah World Championship Week ready to make splash

Gulf Today, Staff Reporter

The picturesque Khalid Lagoon will host the 2022 UIM F1H2O World Championship season final for the first time since 2019.

Returning after a hiatus of almost three years following a coronavirus outbreak, the Sharjah World Championship Week comprising a double header will determine the outcome of this year’s Drivers’ Championship.

The 21^st Sharjah Grand Prix will take place  under the patronage of Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Crown

Prince, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah and Chairman of the Sharjah Executive Council.

The 16 international racers in the championship will compete along a 2057m circuit for the coveted Road to Sharjah Grand Prix of Sharjah title and the Road to Sharjah Grand Prix of the Middle East title on Thursday, Friday, and Sunday, wrapping up the championship’s world tour for 2022.

Team Abu Dhabi’s Shaun Torrente has nine points lead over team-mate Thani Al Qemzi and an 18-point lead over the defending champion Jonas Anderson.

The details of the event were disclosed during a press conference held on Tuesday attended by

Khalid Al-Midfa, chairman of Sharjah Tourism and Commerce Development (STCDA), and vice-chairman Ahmed Obai Al-Qaseer, H2O racing founder Nicolo di San Germano, drivers and team officials including Sami Selio, Ferdinand Zandbergen, Alec Weckstrom Andersson and Guido Cappellini.

Midfa stressed that hosting the final event in the Formula 1 World Powerboat Championship season in the emirate of Sharjah expresses the vision and directives of Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan Bin Mohammed AlQasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, to bolster the emirate's status as a city for global tourism, and a prime destination for water sports enthusiasts.

He noted that the authority puts the safety of the competitors as a top priority in the championship and expects it to be a smooth and exciting race.

Midfa added: "Sharjah has always achieved great success in the sports tourism sector as part of its continuous mission to diversify the emirate's development portfolio. Through investing in our attractive and expansive marine environment we are able to host world championships, including this premier speedboat race."

He pointed out that water sports are part of the country's history and heritage, from the culture of traditional boats to the emirate achieving top spots in international competitions.

The chairman thanked their partners in the 21st edition of the event and the collaboration between Sharjah's Environment and Protected Areas Authority, UIM F1H2O World Championship, Al Bataeh Municipality and the Sharjah Police.

Ahmed Obaid Al Qaseer, Vice Chairman of the SIMSC, said: “Our strategic partnership with SCDTA during the Sharjah World Championships Week, which includes the final round of the 21st edition of the F1H2O World Championship 2022, the Grand Prix of Sharjah, translates the vision Sheikh Dr. Sultan of hosting and organising international competitions to bolster the emirate's status as a water sports destination on a local, regional and international level."

Di San Germano expressed his delight at the sport’s return to the UAE’s third emirate after a three-year absence.

 He said: "We are extremely happy to be here for the 21st time that we organise a Formula One race in Sharjah. It is a special year because everything starts again and even better than before I will say.

“We have organised 294 Grand Prix but the ones in Sharjah have all given us good memories and I am sure this one will continue that level of quality. It is important that we close the Covid period and look forward to growing Formula one in the future.”

Andersson is the defending World Champion and won the Sharjah race from pole position in 2019.

The Swede said: "I really like this place. This was my first podium in my first year in Formula One in 2006. For me, it’s the best race place in the world. It is a very fast course and rough and takes a lot of the drivers to make it good. The momentum is perfect. It is going to be tough but anything can happen…”

Qemzi says he will give everything to secure a dream title triumph.

Chasing a maiden F1H2O  drivers’ crown, the Emirati heads into the Grand Prix of Sharjah double header needing to wipe out a nine-point lead held by team-mate Torrente, and hold off a big challenge from Sweden’s reigning champion, Andersson, another nine points away in third.

Qemzi, a three-times winner on Khalid Lagoon, is relishing the opportunity to end his 20-year wait to be crowned world champion on home waters in the UAE, and to give Team Abu Dhabi a fifth consecutive team title.

“I hope this is the season where I achieve my goal to become world champion,” said the veteran driver. “It will be difficult, but I’ll be giving everything to achieve the dream.

“Khalid Lagoon is one of the most beautiful places where we race, and one of the best circuits for me. It gives you options, and racing is always very fast. Of course, I want to win for myself, but I also want to work with Shaun to secure the team title again.”