ABU DHABI – (Tuesday, September 6, 2011) – As the UIM F1 H2O World Championship series heads into the final third of its 2011 season, marking its fifth race of the campaign as it travels to Liuzhou, China on the weekend of the 1st and 2nd of October , seven drivers still have a realistic chance at capturing the crown before the calendar comes to a close in Sharjah's Khalid Lagoon in the United Arab Emirates by mid-December.
However, if any of the competitors are hoping to initiate a repeat of the miracle finish that we saw in 2010 when Finland's Sami Selio came from behind to win his second title, this time around, these hope-filled drivers will once again be dealing with Jay Price of the Qatar Team, along with his teammate Alex Carella, who have been almost flawless, showing the way with three victories between them in the first four Grands Prix run thus far this season.
If history is any judge, it doesn't look good for the competition chasing the Qatar Team. Price, the wily veteran and 2008 World Champion, has been on the podium in 21 of his past 25 finishes and is the defending champion on the Liu River having won both races he's finished in Liuzhou, China.
“I love this venue,” said the New Orleans, Louisiana driver. “There is something about this place that really gets me pumped up and I know our team is going to go all out to take it too the top knowing this is a key event for the 2011 title. Consistency is the name of the game for us having been on the podium at all four races this season, while for others, like Sami, are now forced to take chances. Plus, he's got to hope that we have some bad luck come our way. We don't want that to happen. We aren't going to let that happen.”
Meanwhile, Jay's young teammate Alex Carella is pushing him for all he is worth. The driver from Piacenza, Italy is sitting just 10 points back at this juncture with 57 points to Jay's 67. Alex hopes to pick up another win here in China after winning for the first time in his F1 career last season in Linyi.
“We are poised to put together another big day,” said the likeable Italian. “We are focused to put all the pieces in place for our second victory of the season and again would love to have Jay and me reach the podium together for the fourth time this season.”
Team Abu Dhabi, like the Qatar Team, has both of their drivers still right in the mix for the title. Unlike their global neighbours however, they are going to have to start winning in bunches to have any shot of a 2011 championship. Ahmed Al Hameli, earned his first victory of the year last month in Kiev after being forced to sit out the Grand Prix in Kazan for numerous infractions imposed by UIM officials at the Grand Prix of Portugal in Portimao back in May.
“Everything was just perfect in Kiev,” said Ahmed. “Now, we need to win again and again to put serious pressure on the Qatar Team and see if they will unravel by our success. We can only do our part and I want to take the top step again.”
While Ahmed earned his 20 points for his victory in Kiev, his teammate Thani Al Qamzi is actually in a better position to push for his first title having scored more points despite still looking for his first victory since Portimao of 2009. His 35 points won't mean a thing unless he can snap is 26 race winless streak in China on the 2nd of October.
The CTIC China Team has two strong pilots led by Frenchman Philippe Chiappe who is fourth in the championship with 23 points. His best performance of the year was a third at the first race of the year back in April in Doha. He along with his teammate Pierre Lundin of Sweden had a magical day at their home race team headquarters finishing second and third in Shenzhen a season ago.
Lundin has struggled this season, scoring only three points after finishing just the one race in Kiev in eighth place. The driver from Eskilstuna, Sweden has had great success in China in his career scoring eight top-five performances in the 12 races he's started in his career in the Peoples Republic. Chiappe in the meantime has two podiums as well in China and looks to better his fourth best career finish in Liuzhou.
Defending World Champion Sami Selio needs the same magic he caught last year and in a hurry if he wants any hope of taking back-to-back crowns. In four races this season he has a podium, third at the last round in Kiev, totaling 21 points in 2011. In Liuzhou, he has a victory in four starts. He's been the dominating presence in qualifying on the Liu River earning three in four starts since 2008.
Veteran Francesco Cantando of the Singha F1 Team has been racing in China since 1996 and in 15 starts earned his first victory in 2009. The Milan native has six podiums and seven top five performances and looks for a bit of magic this next race. He continues to fine tune his new BLAZE boat, coming off a fourth placed finish and now holding down 21 points on the season. Francesco still has an outside chance at winning his first title after being a runner-up in the championship three times in his 16 year career.
Less than a month now remains as teams focus on the start of the final push in the 2011 season. For some, it's earning back lost confidence, while for others it's hopes of a championship that they still have dreams of.
Drivers from 14 different nations are expected to arrive along the Liu River just outside lovely Liuzhou, China. Will it be another Qatar Team winning demonstration, or will the victory come from a different camp like a second in a row from Team Abu Dhabi?
Large crowds of spectators are expected as the 16th Grand Prix of China and the fifth round of the UIM F1 H2O World Championship for power boating comes together on the weekend of the 1st and 2nd of October. The extreme excitement of both qualifying and the Grand Prix the following day can be viewed live on the official website of the UIM F1 H2O World Championship by going to www.f1h2o.com.
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