Prince Sultan bin Fahad bin Salman: “Saudi Arabia is developing its water sports infrastructure and building a Saudi team to compete in the F1H2O series”

The Saudi Water Sports and Diving Federation (SWSDF) announced the completion of all logistical and technical preparations for the F1H2O Saudi Arabia Grand Prix which will officially kick off the 2019 F1H2O World Championship season. The SWSDF also announced the readiness of the new waterfront facilities ahead of the qualifying rounds of the Grand Prix on Saturday 30 March, 2019.

The SWSDF confirmed the arrival of the 18 drivers and support crew of the 9 teams who will compete for Saudi Grand Prix title in Dammam. The teams, whose drivers hail from 11 countries, include: Team Abu Dhabi, Victory Team, CTIC F1 Shenzhen China, F1 Atlantic, Sharjah Team, Team Amaravati, Blaze Performance, Emirates Racing and Maverick F1.

In a press conference held at the venue on the Dammam Corniche, Chairman of the SWSDF HRH Prince Sultan bin Fahad bin Abdulaziz thanked the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and his Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the Crown Prince for their support of the event, noting, “This event represents yet another big step towards bolstering Saudi Arabia’s position as a leading global destination for sports and an active contributor to the international sporting community.”

“We have a plan in place to build an all-Saudi team to compete in the F1H2O series, and hope that this event serves as a launching pad to get more Saudis to get involved in water sports, and are currently working on developing the necessary infrastructure for that to happen.”

For his part, President of H2O racing, Mr. Nicolo di San Germano, expressed his delight in Saudi Arabia hosting the event, the first Grand Prix of the UIM F1H2O’s 36thracing season and its 280thGrand Prix overall. 

“It is a great pleasure for all of us to be here in Dammam for the UIM F1H2O Grand Prix of Saudi Arabia. I would like to thank our everyone involved for their hard work and cooperation which has enabled us to consolidate our racing footprint in the Middle East, especially in Saudi Arabia which is a growing force and important destination in world sports, and we look forward to a continued and long-lasting association with the Kingdom in the field of racing” di San Germano said.

Each Grand Prix racing circuit is around 2 kilometers long, and consist of at least one long straightaway in which the rocket-like powerboats can reach top speeds of more than 220 kilometers per hour, as well as numerous hairpin turns which are tackled at speeds of over 140 kilometers per hour. 

The General Sport Authority, represented by the SWSDF, invited the Saudi public in Dammam and the Kingdom as a whole to come and enjoy up close the unparalleled atmosphere of one of the most competitive and exciting sports in the world.

EVENT SCHEDULE

UIM F1H2O WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

GRAND PRIX of SAUDI ARABIA - Dammam

March 28-30th, 2019

Thursday March 28th 12:00 – 15:00 Lunch

10:00 – 15:00 Technical scrutineering F1H2O & F4

11:00 – 11:30 Drivers Briefing CLOSED

12:00 – 12:30 Teams registration – Fuel distribution

13:15 – 15:15 Extra Free Practice

16:00 2 Seater

Friday March 29th 12:00 – 15:00 Lunch

08:15 – 09:15 Drivers’ Briefing F1H2O & F4 CLOSED + photo session

09:30 – 09:50 F4 Free Practice

10:00 – 10:20 F4 Time Trials

10:30 – 11:30 F1H2O Free Practice

14:10 – 14:50 F4 RACE Day1 – duration 20’

16:00 – 17:00 F1H2O Rebellion Qualifications

17:00 2 Seater

Saturday March 30th 12:00 – 15:00 Lunch

08:45 – 09:15 Drivers’ Briefing F1H2O & F4-S OPEN

09:25 – 09:45 F4 Free Practice

09:55 – 10:15 F4 Time Trials

10:30 – 11:30 F1H2O Free Practice Warm-Up

12:00 – 14:00 2 Seater

14:30 – 14:50 F4 RACE Day2 – duration 20’

15:45 F1H2O Parade Lap

16:00 – 17:00 F1H2O Grand Prix of Saudi Arabia

17:00 F1H2O & F4 Prize giving Ceremony

After Prize-giving Press Conference

Teams and drivers of the Saudi Arabia Grand Prix

• Team Abu Dhabi: 1 Shaun Torrente (USA/*UAE) / 2 Thani Al-Qemzi (UAE)
• Victory Team: 3 Ahmed Al-Hameli (UAE) / 44 Alex Carella (ITA/*UAE)
• CTIC F1 Shenzhen China: 7 Philippe Chiappe (FRA) / 8 Peter Morin (FRA)
• F1 Atlantic: 9 Alberto Comparato (ITA) / 10 Duarte Benavente (POR)
• Sharjah Team: 11 Sami Selio (FIN) / 12 Filip Roms (FIN)
• Team Amaravati: 14 Jonas Andersson (SWE) / 15 Erik Edin (SWE)
• Blaze Performance: 36 Greg Foster (USA) / 37 Francesco Cantando (ITA)
• Emirates Racing: 50 Marit Stromoy (NOR) / 77 Bartek Marszalek (POL)
• Maverick F1: 73 Cedric Deguisne (FRA) / 74 Beranger Robart (FRA)