Emirates Racing Team is back for its second year running in the Formula 1 Powerboat World Championship. After an exciting first race that took place in Dubai on the 4th of March, the championship will now be moving over to Europe to compete in Evian on 17th July.
The Emirates Racing Team has gained some extra additions to the team this year. Racing alongside accomplished Emirati veteran Ahmed Al Hameli and up and coming Swedish star Erik Stark is the Italian driver, Ivan Brigada returning to the sport after a five year absence. On his return to the sport Ivan commented:“It’s great to be back, this environment feels like home for me. The first Grand Prix in Dubai, where I finished in 7th position, I was still reintroducing myself to the boat and finding my feet but it was a good result and I feel strong coming into the championship.”
Also joining the team is new Formula 4 driver Ali Bin Shaiban. Ali is well accustomed to the world of motorsports through his career in jet ski and go kart racing. Ali had a great result in his Formula 4 debut in the Dubai race and will be a exceptional addition to the Emirates Racing Team family. This strong line-up alongside team manager and four-time World Champion, Scott Gillman makes for a powerful team this season.
Emirates Investment Corporation will be sponsoring the Emirates Racing Team for the second year running this year. On the sponsorship this season Faisal Al Meenah, Chairman of EMIC stated: “We at EMIC are happy to be supporting the team once again in the 2016 season. Through our endorsement we hope to raise awareness of this remarkable sport and demonstrate the passion and ambition that the Emirates Racing Team values as highly as us here at EMIC. We are proud to support the United Arab Emirates through the team and show the strength and talent of the UAE across the globe.”
Reflecting on the sponsorship and upcoming season Ahmed Al Hameli said: “As I always say — this team for me is like family. I’ve worked with Scott Gillman for over 12 years and I am building a strong bond with my team members Erik and Ivan. I feel honoured by the sponsorships this year and am extremely grateful EMIC has decided to continue their support of the team. I’m confident we can make them proud throughout the season and ultimately bring home the trophies for them.”
Scott Gillman added: “I am thrilled at the support given by our sponsors and members of the Emirates Racing Team family. This season I am feeling very positive about our team, Ivan had a great race, coming back after such a long gap. Erik was holding a strong position among the top 6 throughout the entire race until the last 7 laps when he had trouble with the prop and had to pull out. Ahmed is itching to get back into the boat for the rest of the season, his champion spirit and ability will make him come back stronger than ever. Lastly, our Formula 4 driver, Ali, is already showing so much strong potential after just a few times in the boat, I’m confident he will be a fierce contender in future races. I feel lucky to have these talented drivers on my team and my sight is set on reaching for that top step of the podium.”
The F1 Powerboat World championship was inaugurated in 1981 and is organised by the Union Internationale Motonautique (UIM) The sport has been described as the most spectacular watersport in the world and the ultimate adrenaline rush. The power boats accelerate faster than most state of the art F1 cars and can reach speeds of 160kph in four seconds. The Emirates Racing
Team will compete across the world this season in their unmissable black and orange powerboats in countries including France (17th July), Portugal (31st July), China -Harbin (4th September), China – Liuzhou (3rd October), Asia (DATE TBC), and then returning to the UAE for the exciting finale in Abu Dhabi (9th December) and finally in Sharjah (16th December).
