UIM F1H2O World Championship – Torrente to defend points lead in Evian

by Philippe Stiernon / F1H2O Press on 20 Jun 2015 UIM F1H2O World Championship – Having never given up on his dream to return to F1 after his Qatar Team disbanded eight weeks ago, defending points leader Shaun Torrente has put together a program where he will now be attending the second round when the tour stops in lovely Evian for next weekends 19th Grand Prix of France on Lake Geneva on the 26th thru 28th of June.

The 36 year-old American driver from Miami, Florida, who had multiple offers to stay within the UIM F1 H2O tour, is going to be represented by the Victory Team and will run an Italian BABA hull supported by the organization based out of Dubai in the United Arab Emirates.

For the two-time North American F1 champion, who has finished second and third in the drivers championship the last two years while racing with the now defunct Qatar Team, the race in Evian will mark Shaun's 23rd career start.

Torrente, has been on a “hot streak” having won two of the last four races, while accumulating four straight podiums and eight top-three finishes in his last 12 starts.

“I'm so excited about this prospect of racing with such an elite group,” said Shaun. “The Victory organization has made the commitment to run the full calendar for 2015. This racing association has redefined the ladder of success in the world of powerboat racing over the last twenty years and I'm glad to be a part of it.”

“It's a great opportunity for me and there will be challenges in France since we've only had a one and one-half weeks to put this team together.”

“Earning a top five in Evian would be a great introduction for the team and scoring points is the most important thing at this point for the championship.”

The Executive Director of the Victory Team and noted worldwide racer himself Arif Al Zaffain added: “We are excited to join the F1 H2O family,” stated Arif.

“Our plan is to continue this year with the BABA boat and Shaun driving. We know Shaun is very experienced and an aggressive pilot and our future plans are to bring into the team a local driver along with Shaun and to develop our own boat with all our vast know-how from our history in power boat racing.”

“Shaun's experience will definitely be an asset for us in this regard as well.”

At the opening race of 2015, the pilot from Florida earned pole position and then controlled the race in the first place position in front of the field from start to finish. This in spite of a multi-boat accident sent the final third of the event under a yellow flag conclusion along Doha Bay in Doha, Qatar.

The UIM F1 H2O World Championship for powerboating returns to France for the first time in eight years with the 19th edition of the Grand Prix being held in the countries fourth venue since it's original event back in 1981. The Grand Prix in Evian along Lake Geneva (Lac Leman) is expected to be something special with drivers from 12 different nations taking part beginning with official qualifying on Saturday afternoon the 27th at 16:25 local (14:25 GMT).

The second race of the 2015 calendar will take place the following afternoon on Sunday the 28th of June at 15:00 local (13:00 GMT) and 09:00 EDT along the East Coast of North America.