After missing two rounds of this season's UIM F1 H2O World Championship, Team Abu Dhabi's Ahmed Al-Hameli and Thani Al-Qamzi will be hoping to finish the season on a high note with a strong challenge for victory in this weekend's home race in Abu Dhabi and the final round in Sharjah next month.
Based at the Abu Dhabi International Marine Sports Club, ADIMSC, the 20th Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi has attracted 18 of the world's most talented mono hull racers and both Al-Qamzi and Al-Hameli know that top performances on the challenging course off the Breakwater may well dampen their rivals' challenges for the world title.
Last year the two Emirati drivers suffered the disappointment of retiring after a dramatic collision early in the race.
The Qatar Team's Alex Carella is chasing a fourth successive world title and arrives in the emirate with a 10-point lead over China CTIC Team's Philippe Chiappe.
There are a maximum 40 points at stake for the winner at the final two races of the season and the man in form after last weekend's triumph in Qatar is Shaun Torrente. The second Qatar Team driver lies a single point behind Chiappe in third position, while Al-Qamzi holds ninth after missing two of the three races.
Team Abu Dhabi is supported by Etihad Airways as the official carrier and sponsor and runs under the patronage of His Highness Dr. Sheikh Sultan Bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, advisor to the U.A.E. President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the ADIMSC.
The Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi will also host two races for the UIM F-4S Trophy, a feeder series open to drivers in smaller 60hp boats that has again been dominated by Germany's Mike Szymura this season.
Source: WAM