Wednesday, 15 March: Abu Dhabi team manager Guido Cappellini has confirmed a three boat line up for 2017 in their bid to regain the team’ title it won in 2015 and a first driver’s title under his tutelage.

Spearheading the attack is three-time world champion Alex Carella, his hat-trick of titles coming with Qatar before making the switch in 2015, with teammates Thani Al Qemzi and ‘rookie’ Rashed Al Qemzi, who made his F1H2O debut at the end of last season in Sharjah, his reward for winning the F4-S Championship. “All three will drive the same boats for the first race in Portimao and after that we will decide about new modifications and strategy,” said Cappellini. “Everyone has been testing in Abu Dhabi, in particular Rashed Al Qemzi, because he has very limited experience at this level.”

Cappellini also alluded to a backroom restructuring, “We're working very hard and this year we will not be working with Brendan Power for engines ‘my team will work on them’, the same people that allowed me to win 10 World Championships.”

5 Thani Al Qemzi (uae) - DAC

6 Alex Carella (ita) - DAC

7 Rashed Al Qemzi (uae) - DAC