Team Abu Dhabi’s Mansoori primed for title showdown in Portugal
Team Abu Dhabi’s Mansoor Al Mansoori is ready for the biggest challenge of his powerboat racing career as he bids to clinch the 2022 UIM F2 World Championship in Portugal at the weekend.
The Emirati driver heads into the final round of the season in Vila Velha de Rodao on Sunday holding a slender three-point championship lead over Sharjah Team’s Sami Selio, with Germany’s Stefan Hagin just one more point away in third place.
It all adds up to a thrilling climax to the title race, and a big test of nerve and skill for the top three as they batle it out on the Tagus river circuit.
“This is why we race, for the chance to take the title in the final event of the season, with only a few points between us,” said Al Mansoori.
“It couldn’t be much closer, or more exciting, and I’m looking forward to it because I have a great team behind me, and we’re ready for everything on the day.”
Al Mansoori has already enjoyed one major title success since joining Team Abu Dhabi last year, sharing in the 2021 world endurance championship triumph with his team-mate in Portugal, Rashed Al Qemzi. Engine problems in Ribadouro last Sunday ended the three-times F2 world champion’s bid for a podium finish this season, but Al Qemzi is still relishing the chance to repeat his win in Vila Velha de Rodao 12 months ago.
While Al Mansoori, Selio, and Hagin batle it out for the title, they will also have to contend with the growing threat from Monaco’s Giacomo Sacchi, who took pole position followed by an impressive Grand Prix victory last weekend to move to fourth place in the standings.
If Al Mansoori comes through the test to secure the F2 crown, it will be the 15th world title delivered by Guido Cappellini since taking charge as Team Abu Dhabi manager in February 2015.
The boats take to the water for free practice at 11.15am local time on Saturday, with the threestage qualifying session geting under way at 3pm. The Grand Prix of Vila Velha de Rodao starts at 3.45pm on Sunday.
Last weekend Sacchi went one beter than his Monegasque friend Charles Leclerc did in Monza, when he raced from pole position to take the chequered flag forty laps later at the Grand Prix of Baiao. Seventeen drivers had lined up on the Douro River circuit start pontoon with Sacchi on that all important number one spot. Lining up alongside him was the current UIM F2 World Champion Al Qemzi and next to him was the local fans favourite Benavente who had not been off the winner’s podium in Portugal since 2017, so no pressure then.
Ater a slight delay whilst the start lights were adjusted the pack sped off to the first turn mark which they all safely negotiated. Out in front had shot Sacchi, followed by Al Qemzi, meanwhile Selio had past Benavente for third.
It wasn’t long though before Selio then found himself up in second place as first to drop out just ahead of him was Al Qemzi. The Team Abu Dhabi driver suffered a Mercury engine failure, then just