Dubai: Four-time defending world champion Alex Carella has promised a spirited response in the main race after qualifying in third for the Grand Prix of Portimao, the opening round of the 2018 UIM F1H2O World Championship late on Saturday.
The two teams from the UAE were in total control with Team Abu Dhabi blocking out the top two positions and leaving the next two slots for Dubai’s Victory Team during Saturday’s BRM Official Qualifying session on the Arade River.
Leading the pack of UAE drivers was American pilot Shaun Torrente of Team Abu Dhabi with the fastest lap of 41.68 seconds on the Arade River circuit to earn the right for starting the race from the front of the 19-driver pack. His teammate Thani Al Qamzi was second quickest with a 41.75s lap followed by the Victory Team duo of Carella (42.02 secs) and Ahmad Al Hameli (42.11 secs).
“For sure, we have our work cut out for the race. We have to still come to terms with the boat set-up and once we get this right we will be much better,” Carella told Gulf News from Portimao.
“The race will be another plan altogether and we hope we can come out strong at the start so that we can commence the season with a win for my new team. I am starting to feel more and more comfortable in the boat and we have shown that we are competitive. I am impressed with the team and with what we have. Tomorrow will be a long race and I am sure we can challenge,” he added.
However, waiting expectantly is Carella’s main challenger and Team Abu Dhabi’s new signing Torrente. The American pilot was relishing a challenge on hand against his former team. “It’s been a very good day for our team after ending in the top two positions. I knew the boat was good all weekend and I am very happy with the result,” Torrente said.
“I am so proud of the team. I love everything about the boat. Today I did a good job. But there is a little bit left on the table and that is what matters. I am pleased not just for myself but for the team who have worked hard to put us where we are. Hopefully I can finish the business that I started last year,” he added.
Joining the UAE powerhouses in the top-six shootout were CTIC F1 Shenzhen China duo of Philippe Chiappe and Peter Morin with the former four-time world champion Chiappe starting from fifth while his new teammate went on to pick up his best-ever qualifying position in sixth.
F1 Atlantic’s Duarte Benavente narrowly missed out on making it into the top-six shootout going seventh fastest ahead of Emirates Racing’s Marit Stromoy, with Francesco Cantando producing his best qualifying result in his Blaze in ninth ahead of Grant Trask and Team Abu Dhabi’s third boat with Rashid Al Qamzi.
