Team Abu Dhabi set sights higher

Best season on record

ABU DHABI, UAE, Dec 21: After completing their most successful season on record holding two powerboat racing world titles, Team Abu Dhabi have immediately set their sights higher as they quickly begin preparation for 2016.

The highlight of this year’s campaign was the performance of Gary Ballou and John Tomlinson in delivering the team’s first ever UIM Class 1 World Championship crown to Abu Dhabi International Marine Sports Club last month.

Within three weeks, Rashid Al Tayer and Faleh Al Mansouri completed their first season in the UIM XCAT World Series by taking their Team Abu Dhabi extreme catamaran to runners up position in the championship.

Then in last weekend’s seasonending Grand Prix of Sharjah, Alex Carella and Thani Al-Qamzi wrapped up the teams title in the 2015 F1H20 World Championship.

With Carella also finishing runner up in the drivers’ championship, it added up to a powerful start for the new-look F1 Team Abu Dhabi in its first year under the guidance of the ten-time world champion, Guido Capelin, as team manager.

“We’re very happy with the way the team has performed across each of the championships this season, and we’re confident that we can build on

Salem Al Rumaithi

Thani Al-Qamzi in F1 action

The encouraging performances of its other emerging Emirati talent this season bodes well for the future. Majid Al-Mansoori and Rashid Al-Tayer finished fourth in the 2015 Class 1 World Championship and aim to be serious titles contenders next season.

Majed Al-Mansoori and Rashed Al-Qemzi showed great promise in their limited XCAT programme and look to the future with confidence, while both Mohammed Al-Mehairbi and Al-Qemzi came close to race wins in the F-4S Trophy, finishing fourth and sixth respectively in the championship.

“One of our main priorities in staging powerboat racing events and developing Team Abu Dhabi is to provide opportunities for young Emiratis in the sport, and to give them a chance to achieve success at the highest level, and to inspire other young Emiratis at the same time,” said Al Rumaith.

“There is nothing that attracts young people to any sport in any country than a young person from that country becoming a champion, especially a world champion.

“This is why we have placed an emphasis on introducing young Emiratis into the F-4S world championship with Team Abu Dhabi, and recruiting top professionals to work closely with them and help them develop their skills.”

Thani Al-Qamzi with Mohammed Al Mehairbi and Rashed Al-Qemzi