LIUZHOU, China - Wednesday, October 2, 2013 - Italian two-time World Champion Alex Carella of the Qatar Team first held off his teammate Shaun Torrente and later another two-time World Champion in Sami Selio to win for the second straight year on the Liu River at the 19th Grand Prix of China.
The race marked the end of the halfway point of the season and with the 1.45 second victory Carella now is tied with Selio atop the board of the standing with 44 points as the series now heads off to the Grand Prix of Qatar on the 22nd and 23rd of November in Doha.
"I had a perfect setup this afternoon and despite the strong pressure from behind from Shaun and later Sami, I was really confident that I could control the front as my speed was just enough to stay the point in front," said Alex. "All in all, I'm truly happy to be in the position where we are now in the championship, tied for first!"
For Selio, he was just happy to finish after two nightmare races the last two seasons with a heavy crash ending his season in 2011 and crashing again last year with Torrente ending his dreams of a third title in the process.
"We did our best and now more importantly we are right in the position to push for a title at the halfway point," said Sami. "Now we can focus on Doha on a circuit I enjoy racing on against the Qatar Team boats."
French driver Philippe Chiappe of the CTIC China team earned his organization another podium with a third for the second straight year in Liuzhou finishing 3.84 seconds back of Carella and now sits third with 39 points as he chases his first world title.
"Overall, I was happy with the day it's never easy reaching the podium with the overall talent we have on the tour so I know I still am close with the title chase and have done well in Doha our next stop so we'll be ready to give it our all along the cornice."
Thani Al Qamzi of Team Abu Dhabi finished a fine fourth running his back-up boat after qualifying sixth while his teammate Ahmed Al Hameli motored home 10th with a less than full running setup two laps behind.
Jonas Andersson of Team Azerbaijan finished a well earned fifth place holding off a hard charging Torrente, who was able to fight off his on again off again electrical problem, pushing the driver from Sweden hard for the last fifteen laps.
Torrente's sixth place was the last drive on the lead lap with Kuwaiti driver Youssef Al Rubayan coming home seventh for F1 GC Atlantic organization after taking a fifth here a year ago.
Polish driver Bartek Marszalek had his best performance of his young career with a fine eighth place finish for the Singha Racing Team earning his first points of the season.
Selio's young teammate Filip Roms earned his first points of the season as well, coming home a steady ninth place position with Marit Stromoy, Terry Rinker, Rinaldo Osculati, Francesco Cantando, Duarte Benavente and Leo Xiong all failing to finish the 38 lap event.
The series now takes a seven week break as it prepares for a wild three race ending in four weeks time starting with the Grand Prix of Qatar in Doha on the 22nd and 23rd of November.
It will be the Qatar Teams home waters and it will be interesting to see if Alex Carella and Shaun Torrente can take advantage of the situation and push for another driver and team championship.
The 2013 UIM F1 H2O World Championship can be followed via the internet on their home page at www.f1h2o.com for all the news leading up to Doha.
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