Torrente claims pole position in Grand Prix of India

Victory Team’s Al Hameli and Carella start strongly

Team Abu Dhabi’s championship-topping trio of Shaun Torrente, Erik Stark and Thani Al Qamzi will start today’s Grand Prix of India on the Krishna River in Amaravati from pole position, third and fourth positions after another thrilling BRM Qualifying session yesterday.

As the 2018 UIM F1 H2O World Championship heads for a thrilling showdown with this weekend’s race and two titanic contests to follow in the UAE in December, Torrente left it until his last lap in Q3 qualifying to deny Norwegian female racer Marit Strømøy of a second career pole position.

Team Abu Dhabi teammates Erik Stark and Al Qamzi, Erik Stark qualified close behind in third and fourth to set up the prospect of a thrilling showdown on the 2.125km course. Team Amaravati’s Jonas Andersson qualified in fifth place and Ahmad Al Hameli of the Victory Team was sixth.

Three-time world champion Philippe Chiappe of the CTIC F1 Shenzhen China Team and defending champion Alex Carella of the Victory Team failed to reach Q3.

Team Abu Dhabi’s Mohammad Al Mehairbi continued his push for the UIM F4 Trophy title. The Emirati finished the 20-lap race in fifth position to move three points ahead of Germany’s Max Stilz with five races remaining. Hungarian pole sitter Rudolf Mihaldinecz overcame a fierce challenge from Ben Jelf to win his first race of the season.

Victory Team’s Al Hameli and Carella started strongly and with respective lap times of 48.52sec and 48.78sec all but booked their places in Q2.