Team Abu Dhabi’s Carella secures fourth world title

Team Abu Dhabi’s Alex Carella delivered a sensational performance to lead from the start to the chequered flag to secure a convincing victory in the 18th Grand Prix of Sharjah and a fourth UIM F1 H20 World Championship title.

Philippe Chiappe of the CTIC Shenzhen China Team could not recover from a disappointing start from fifth position on the pontoon and the three-time champion had to settle for an eventual third position and the runner-up spot in the World Championship after climbing back from as low as eighth in a largely processional race on Khaled Lagoon The Victory Team’s Ahmed Al-Hameli benefited from a superb start to hold second for much of the race until he hit technical trouble and his demise opened the door for Team Sweden’s Jonas Andersson to snatch second spot. Thani and Rashed Al-Qemzi delivered solid performances to reach the finish in third and ninth positions to cap a memorable afternoon for Team Abu Dhabi, with young Rashed claiming his first World Championship points. Poland’s Bartek Marszalek and Chiappe’s team-mate Peter Morin rounded off the top six. But Thani was given a one-lap penalty for jumping the start some minutes after the podium and slipped to sixth and finished fourth in the championship.

To mark a memorable weekend, Team Abu Dhabi also added the UIM F1 H2O Teams’ Championship title for the first time since 2015 to the UIM Pole Position Trophy earned on Thursday and the prestigious UIM F2 World Championship secured by young Rashed Al-Qemzi in Portugal in October. The last drivers’ title won by the Abu Dhabi International Marine Sports Club (ADIMSC) had been by Scott Gillman back in 2006, the man who Carella joined in the sport’s all-time Hall of Fame with four world titles.

Carella said: "It is a very special feeling. I fight this weekend. I wanted to come out with everything. The work of yesterday paid today and it gave me a perfect place to start. When I heard that Philippe was in eight position I knew I did not want to push too much. I was in perfect control of the race. I was just hoping that nothing would happen."

Team Abu Dhabi’s Rashed Al-Romaithi and Mohammed Al-Mehairbi finished the final F4-S Trophy race of the season in eighth and ninth positions, but third overall was sufficient for the Victory Team’s Mansoor A-Mansoori to pip Frenchman Jeremy Brisset to the title. Hungarian veteran Rudolf Mihaldinecz led from start-to-finish to pip young Frenchman Tom Chiappe to the overall Grand Prix victory and the race two win. Al-Mehairbi incurred a one-lap penalty for not maintaining his line and duly lost fourth position, although he secured third in the final points’ standings.

Etihad Airways is the official carrier for Team Abu Dhabi that is also supported by the Abu Dhabi Sports Council and runs under the patronage of H.H. Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, Adviser to the UAE President and chairman of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi International Marine Sports Club (ADIMSC) and under the guidance of H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, Vice-President and CEO of the ADIMSC. The racing team runs under the umbrella of the ADIMSC, board member and general manager Salem Al-Remeithi and team manager Guido Cappellini.

"We devote this fantastic victory for Team Abu Dhabi to President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces," said Sheikh Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan.

"We also dedicate this success to the Supreme Council members, Rulers of the Emirates, Crown Prince, Ruler’s Deputies and the people of the UAE. It is a terrific achievement to win the world title after 11 years and marks an historic day of celebration for the team in Sharjah. We are also proud that Emirati drivers and growing young talent played a significant contribution to the team’s success in dominating three major disciplines in the championship. This is no mean feat and something we look forward to defending next season," he added.

Salem Al-Remeithi said, "Our team deserved the success this year. This is an achievement for the whole UAE and we are proud to have succeeded in the championship. Our team deserves to be number one and can climb on to the podium with pride. To earn the three victories in the Drivers’ Championship, the Teams’ Championship and the Pole Position Trophy is a fantastic achievement by our team."

An emotional Cappellini said: "Incredible, incredible. To win the last race in the World Championship is the best possible thing you can do to win the title. We had two boats on the podium (until the lap penalty) and Rashed gains his first ever points. For me, it is one incredible day."