The 2026 UIM F1H2O World Championship has swung into action ahead of the season opener Regione Sardegna Grand Prix of Italy, taking place in the southern Sardinian city of Cagliari this weekend.
At the race’s press conference, H2O Racing Founder Nicolo DI San Germano shared his delight that the sport was returning to Cagliari after a hiatus of over two decades. Alongside him were representatives from Regione Sardegna, the municipality of Cagliari, and Scott Gillman, who recounted his happy memories of the last Grand Prix in Cagliari in which he emerged victorious, and shared his hope to create yet more happy memories of the city in his current role as Sharjah Team Manager.
On-water action followed in the afternoon, as the first Free Practice sessions of the season gave an early glimpse of how this season’s racing might shape up, with all eighteen drivers from eight teams descending upon the lightly choppy waters of Cagliari’s Gulf of the Angels across the two Free Practice sessions.
Peter Morin got the season underway with the first lap, coming in at 57.790 seconds, but was quickly supplanted by Stefan Arand, still brimming with confidence having won the last Grand Prix, putting down a 50.985 seconds lap that put him at the top of the Free Practice table.
His time at the top proved temporary, however, as a flying Ben Jelf secured a time of 50.618 seconds with less than fifteen minutes of the first session left. Jelf looked set to top the table as most drivers had already returned to the paddock and only a few minutes of the hour-long session were left, but a stunningly fast lap from Peter Morin saw him climb back to the top and finish the first Free Practice session with the best time at 48.930 seconds, with Jelf and Arand coming in behind him.
The second Free Practice session saw Arand once again take an early lead with an improved time of 46.736 seconds. At the halfway point of the session, Arand was supplanted by fellow young driver Alberto Comparato, edging ahead of him by the slightest of margins with a time of 46.464 seconds, only to himself be outdone by current World Champion Shaun Torrente who came in at 46.403 seconds.
Torrente cemented his place at the top of the second session with an even quicker time of 45.217 seconds, meaning he saw off a late charge by Rusty Wyatt who finished behind the World Champion with a time of 46.085 seconds.
With the race course now tested by the roster of drivers, they and their teams prepare for a full day of action tomorrow, Saturday 30, with the weekend’s qualifications taking place in the morning from 10am to 11am. The afternoon sees the start of this season’s competitive racing, with vital points there for the taking in Sprint Race 1 at 3:05pm and Sprint Race 2 at 3:50pm. The winners of the two Sprint Races will then be crowned at the prize giving ceremony on the waterfront immediately afterwards.
The Regione Sardegna Grand Prix of Italy starts at 3:05pm on Sunday, straight after a parade lap on the beautiful Sardinian circuit. The prize giving ceremony will then mark the closing of this first chapter in the 2026 F1H2O season.
