EVIAN (France) - Friday, 26 June - Thrown an eleventh hour lifeline or simply a very astute move by Dubai's Victory Team. Call it what you will. Qatar Grand Prix pole-sitter, race winner and Championship leader Shaun Torrente is back and relishing the new challenge ahead. "I've only been gone like a second, but it felt like an eternity and I still have my points and the lead." he said ahead of this weekend's Grand Prix of France.

From seemingly being out in the cold with no seat to jump into, Torrente lines up with a new team and can now do his utmost to try to protect his points lead and Championship aspirations. "I am quite relaxed. After all the ups and downs and frustrations of the last couple of months I am really just happy to be here and to be with a team that has a goal for the future, wants a presence in Formula 1 powerboat racing and chose me."

The team and Torrente have their work cut out and a lot of time to make up but the two-time pole and race winner is cautiously optimistic. "Our realistic goal is a top five. We feel that if we can run all the laps we can get a minimum sixth or seventh, but top five is our aim. That said, I haven't been in the boat yet, it hasn't been on the water so after practice our targets may adjust, maybe up or maybe down. Let's see."

"Either way, I don't feel I have any pressure. We are ahead, we get some points and we are still in the mix. Racing boats, this is what we do. What pressure is there?"