Victory Team Claims Commanding Performance at Shanghai Grand Prix
Alec Weckström secures maiden pole position whilst both Victory Team drivers win sprint races to strengthen their championship positions in the UIM F1H2O World Championship.
The Shanghai Grand Prix witnessed a masterclass in performance from Victory Team, as Finnish driver Alec Weckström claimed the first pole position of his career in the UIM F1H2O World Championship, with American teammate Shaun Torrente securing an impressive second place on the grid for Monday’s main race.
Weckström’s qualifying effort proved commanding, setting the fastest time of 43.986 seconds aboard Victory 3, whilst Torrente demonstrated the team’s strength with a time of 44.193 seconds in Victory 1. The consistent excellence laid a strong foundation for the team’s assault on the championship title.
Victory Team’s dominance extended beyond qualifying, as both drivers delivered triumphant performances in Sunday’s sprint races. Weckström claimed victory in the opening sprint, accumulating 10 championship points to elevate his season total to 30, positioning him sixth in the drivers’ standings. He finished ahead of Sharjah Team’s Grant Trask in second place, with Italy’s Sami Seliö of Comparato Team completing the podium.
Torrente proved equally decisive in the second sprint race, securing another victory and crucial 10 points to consolidate his leadership position in the Drivers’ World Championship with a total of 50 points. Stefan Arand of Sharjah Team took the runner-up position, whilst China Team’s Stefan Hagin claimed the third-place finish.
The combined results catapulted Victory Team to provisional leadership of the Teams’ World Championship standings with 80 points, ahead of Sharjah Team’s 69 points and Team Abu Dhabi’s 68 points. Completing the qualifying top five were Arand in third with 44.321 seconds, Seliö in fourth with 44.470 seconds, and Trask in fifth with a time of 44.886 seconds.
Reflecting upon his maiden pole position achievement, Weckström expressed satisfaction with the team’s comprehensive preparation. He emphasised the crucial preparatory work undertaken in Dubai and the team’s ability to refine boat set-up during training sessions. His remarks highlighted the significance of translating qualifying success into the main race, noting the team’s strategic focus on maximising their front-row advantage.
Torrente similarly acknowledged the collective effort required to achieve such results, stressing the importance of maintaining momentum through the championship. He underscored that whilst championship points prove essential, the prospect of occupying the first two grid positions provided an invaluable tactical advantage for Monday’s decisive race.
Source: WAM