UAE’s Al-Qemzi makes F1H2O podium as Andersson win in France

Thani Al-Qemzi from Team Abu Dhabi of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) claimed a 44th career podium finish on Monday as Jonas Andersson, a Swedish ice hockey player, won the Grand Prix of France to extend his lead in the F1H2O World Championship, the world’s leading international series of single-seater inshore circuit powerboat racing.

Jonas Erik Andersson claimed victory from Sharjah Team’s Ferdinand Zandbergen and Al-Qemzi. Reportedly, Team Abu Dhabi’s three-time world champion, Shaun Torrente, was disqualified for a race when Andersson secured the pole position. 

Shaun Torrente had a great start but he missed a buoy while holding the early lead. Alberto Comparato, one of the youngest drivers in the paddock, and Marit Stromoy, an F1H2O World Championship powerboat racer, performed well on the Saone River in Macon, a city in the Burgundy region of east-central France. However, Andersson won the race.

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Andersson opened up a 15-point championship lead over Erik Stark, a powerboat racing driver from Sweden who races in the F1H2O World Championship and XCAT World Championship for the Dubai-based Victory Team. Stark finished in fifth position on Monday.

UAE’s Al-Qemzi had climbed four places after starting ninth. Thani Al Qemzi, who made his F1H2O debut in the year 2000, participated in his 150th start in France’s Macon. Al-Qemzi, a three-time winner on Khalid Lagoon, has a career record of 10 Grand Prix wins, two championship runners-up spots and six third-place finishes.

Earlier, the veteran Emirati driver said, “We have been preparing in Italy on a course that is similar to the one in Macon, with the same dimensions and turns, so I’m feeling good.”

UIM F1H2O World Championship leading points positions

1. Jonas Andersson 43

2. Erik Stark 28

3. Ferdinand Zandbergen 27

4. Bartek Marszalek 20

5. Thani Al-Qemzi 19

6. Peter Morin 18

7. Shaun Torrente 17

8. Sami Selio 15

9. Filip Roms 11

10. Brent Dillard 11