The United Arab Emirates traditionally host the last two events of the F1 H2O World Championship. Without having to travel to Khalid Lagoon, Sharjah, the Frenchie Philippe Chiappe put paid to any suspense on Friday 11 December in Abu Dhabi: the 2nd place of the driver of CTIC China Team, partnered technically by Motul, combined with the retirement of his closest contender, gives him a second consecutive world title in the top category of inshore high-speed power boating.
'We managed to reach the goal of bagging the title already today', stated a delighted double world Champion. 'I wish to thank the team which did a magnificent job preparing my boat, as well as its designer David Moore and the tuner of my engines, Alex Hledin'. Reliability played a major role in this race, in which seven of the seventeen at the start were forced to retire. For instance, the Swede, Andersson, had to quit when he was leading the race. Plagued by mechanical issues, the Finn, Selio, fell back from 1st to 4th place with the arrival in view. The American, Shaun Torrente, could still have prevented the early crowning of Philippe Chiappe when a hull issue eliminated him shortly after mid-race when he was 5th placed.
Standings :
1/ Philippe Chiappe 70 pts - MOTUL
3/ Alex Carella 39 pts
2/ Shaun Torrente 39 pts
