Dubai: Victory Team’s American driver Shaun Torrente wants the Dubai-based outfit to figure among genuine contenders for the crown when the UIM F1 H2O World Championships get under way in Portugal later this week.
Torrente, who ended in the runners-up spot behind CTIC Team China’s French driver Philippe Chiappe last season, will be one of 19 drivers in the fray when the 16th running of the Grand Prix of Portugal is held in Portimao from April 21-23.
The American is teaming up with UAE champion driver Ahmad Al Hameli under the tutelage of the re-branded Victory Team this season under multiple world champion Scott Gillman. Last year, Torrente had teamed up with Nader Bin Hendi in helping the Victory Team make their first-ever full season appearance in the UIM F1 H2O World Championships.
In 2016, Torrente went on to finish the season with a flourish, winning the Grand Prix of Sharjah, but failed to stop Chiappe from adding another world drivers’ crown. The Frenchman finished with 97 points, while Torrente came in second with 83 points, and the duo of Sami Selio and Jonas Andersson remained tied for third with an identical 66 points.
This season, Victory Team has been consolidated, with Huraiz Bin Huraiz stepping in as the new chairman of the board of directors with the sole aim of gunning for a maiden F1 world crown, with Al Hameli and Torrente leading the two-pronged attack.
“I am really excited to get this season started next week. Everything is in good shape and in good hands and I am genuinely excited to get back in my boat again,” Torrente told Gulf News from his home in Miami, Florida, USA.
“I think we will be really strong with two boats this season. I am convinced that both of us can be counted as top contenders for the world crown. We both have boats that can really win just about every race that we compete in,” he added.
Torrente, who turns 39 in August this year, is considered one of the most exciting powerboat drivers. His best so far has been the runner-up spot on a couple of occasions [2016 and in 2013], and he made his move to Dubai after the disbanding of his former Team Qatar with whom he made his debut way back in 2007.
Torrente’s racing career began in the USA when he was just 15, going on to be a SST-120 (F2) world champion twice in 2002 and 2003, before moving up and winning the North American F1 Championship on three occasions.
“Right now, the focus is to just really get off to a good start and get good points in the first race,” Torrente said.
“And then if we both have a chance to win, then obviously we will take it,” he added.
