Wednesday, 29 May, BRASILIA (Brazil): Brazilian race ace Paul Gaiser arrived in Brasilia today just days ahead of his first international World Championship race on home waters.
Gaiser, from Rio de Janeiro, announced earlier this month that he is returning to the series for the first time in over a decade to team-up and race with Jonas Andersson and Pal Virik Nilsen for Team Azerbaijan in the historic first Grand Prix of Brazil, 1-2 of June.
After being issued his UIM super license he was understandably excited at the prospect of his next F1H2O outing. "To race at your home Grand Prix is a very special moment for any driver," said Paul Gaiser. "But to do it in the first race ever to take place in your own country and be a part of history makes it even more special.
"I have taken a look at the venue and the circuit on Lake Paranao and it really will be a very special weekend. It has been a long time since I last raced so the target will be to get a good feel for the boat and gradually try to pick up the pace."
He made his F1H2O debut in 2000 driving for his Petrobras Racing Team with teammate Massimo Roggiero, and competed in 12 events finishing 13th in the drivers' standings with 20 points on the strength of eight top-10 finishes.
In 2001 he teamed-up with Austrian driver Rupp Temper, entering seven events but his season ended earlier than planned after crashing out at the Grand Prix of Austria in Vienna in September.
His last international powerboat action was in Class 1 - which he raced for the first time in 1998 in Dubai alongside fellow-Brazilian Tulio Rodrigues - in Gabon in 2012 racing with Bjorge Jacobsen, finishing in sixth place.