Dubai: A 19-strong field of drivers representing 11 countries will line up on the Arade River in the Algarve region in southern Portugal for the 34th season of the UIM F1 H2O World Championships this weekend.
Action for the 16th running of the Grand Prix of Portugal will get under way at 2pm [4pm UAE] on Friday with the first untimed practice session on the 1,937-metre circuit.
The first official practice session will take place at 10am [noon UAE] on Saturday while the BRM Official Qualifying will be later in the day at 1pm [3pm UAE].
There will be a second official practice session at 10.30am [12.30pm UAE] on Sunday, followed by the UIM F1H2O Grand Prix of Portugal from 1.30pm [3.30pm].
The nine team line-up is loaded with talent, boasting of three world champions, nine drivers who have taken Grand Prix victories and a further three who have finished on the podium at some point in their powerboating career.
One of the highlights this season has been the multiple driver reshuffles in some teams.
Laying down the gauntlet will be three-time world champion Philippe Chiappe as he embarks on a fourth world crown for his France-based CTIC F1 Shenzhen China Team this season.
In 2016, Chiappe was in flying form while adding a further six race wins and ten podium finishes as he attempts a second straight win in Portimao this weekend.
Chiappe will be joined by fellow Frenchman and world endurance champion Peter Morin, while Xiong Ziwei will continue with the team as its reserve driver.
The most significant news is the unification of Ahmad Al Hameli and Shaun Torrente in the rebranded Scott Gillman Victory Team. Also coming onboard into the Dubai-based set-up will be the Emic Racing duo of Marit Stromoy and Mike Szymura making them a force to reckon with.
Mounting a formidable three-boat attack will be Guido Cappellini-led Team Abu Dhabi, bent on regaining the team title they last won in 2015. In the thick of action will be former three-time world champion Alex Carella along with UAE drivers Thani Al Qamzi and Rashid Al Qamzi, who won the F4-S Championship on debut last season.
Also in the fray to unseat Chiappe will be Finland’s two-time world champion Sami Selio, who along with Filip Roms finished in the runners-up position in the teams’ championship last year.
Teams and Drivers for the start of the 2017 UIM F1H2O season starting with the Grand Prix of Portugal in Portimao, Portugal on April 21-23:
CTIC F1 Shenzhen China: Philippe Chiappe (France); Peter Morin (France)
Victory: Ahmad Al Hameli; Shaun Torrente (USA)
Emirates Racing: Marit Stromoy (Norway); Mike Szymura (Germany)
Abu Dhabi: Thani Al Qamzi (UAE); Alex Carella (Italy); Rashid Al Qamzi (UAE)
F1 Atlantic: Grant Trask (Australia); Duarte Benavente (Portugal)
Mad Croc BABA Racing: Sami Selio (Finland) Filip Roms (Finland)
Sweden: Jonas Andersson (Sweden) Erik Stark (Sweden)
Blaze Performance: Bartek Marszalek (Poland); Francesco Cantando (Italy)
Maverick F1: Cedric Deguisne (France); Amaury Jousseaume (France)
