Latest news with #UIMF2WorldChampionship
ITV News
16-07-2025
- Automotive
- ITV News
Lancashire man speeds to victory in the World Powerboat Championships
A British powerboat racer says he "felt untouchable" after speeding to victory in Italy driving his Formula 2 powerboat. Matthew Palfreyman, 32, from Ormskirk, Lancashire, kicked off the UIM F2 World Championship with a victory in Brindisi, despite "difficult conditions" on the water. The 32-year-old has been a member of Lancashire Powerboat Racing Club (LPRC), which is based at Car Mill Dam in St Helens, since he was 12 years old. Palfreyman, who also won this event in 2024, delivered an impressive performance in challenging, blustery conditions along the Brindisi Adriatic coastline on Sunday, 29 June, to win the opening stage. Due to fierce winds, qualifying was delayed and moved to Sunday morning - making it a busy and jam-packed day for the team. But Matthew wasted no time and, early on in the qualifying session, secured the pole position and never looked back—he powered forward from the rolling start to lead from start to finish. Palfreyman after the race: 'The conditions were tough, but I like the challenge of driving in the rough water—itsuits my driving style. ''The boat was set up and ran perfectly. Honestly, once I was out in front I managed to simply pull away and I knewit was going to be difficult for anyone to get past me. I actually felt untouchable out there." Joining Palfreyman on the podium, Peter Morin of France in second place, and Sweden's Hilmer Wiberg took the third step, he managed to get past Andre Solvang from Norway who had to settle for fourth. Kingfisher Team Manager Ian Blacker, praised the team's preparation and performance. He said: 'I'm proud of Matthew and the whole crew. A flawless race in difficult conditions. The boat performed exactly as we'd hoped and gave Matthew what he needed take the win. "This is the best possible start for our 2025 season, and now we need to build on this success and shift our focus to Klaipėda.' With this victory, Team Kingfisher now celebrates and takes the early lead in the 2025 F2 World Championship standings—with a maximum 20 points, and they are keen to send out a clear message: They're here to challenge for the 2025 title. Palfreyman is scheduled to compete in the second round of the event, which is due to take place in Lithuania between 17-19 July.
Al Etihad
15-07-2025
- Automotive
- Al Etihad
Team Abu Dhabi gears up to defend UIM F2 World Championship title in Lithuania
15 July 2025 14:10 ABU DHABI (WAM)Team Abu Dhabi will take part in the second round of the UIM F2 World Championship hosted by the city of Klaipėda, Lithuania, on July 18 and 19. The event will see fierce competition among an elite lineup of the world's top powerboat team will be represented in this round by boat No. 1, driven by reigning world champion Rashed Al Qemzi, alongside boat No. 35, piloted by Mansoor Al Mansoori. Both will be aiming to defend the championship title secured last season and continue Team Abu Dhabi's remarkable record in the champion Rashed Al Qemzi and teammate Mansoor Al Mansoori are preparing for this critical round in Lithuania, especially after the setbacks they faced in the opening round of the season held in Brindisi, Italy, last June. Al Qemzi suffered a technical failure that forced him out of contention, while Al Mansoori's boat capsized in the final laps of the Abu Dhabi is determined to bounce back strongly and secure a positive result in Lithuania to reestablish themselves in the title race for the 2025 season, which includes four more rounds—continuing in Italy and concluding with the final two rounds in Portugal this opening round of the championship saw Britain's Matthew Palfreyman clinch victory, with France's Peter Morin finishing second and Sweden's Wilmer Wiberg in Qemzi remains one of the top contenders for this year's crown, boasting an impressive record of five world titles, making him the most decorated and favoured driver among the of the Team Abu Dhabi delegation, Nasser Al Dhaheri, emphasised the importance of the upcoming round as a pivotal stage in their quest to retain the world title. 'We are fully aware of the level of competition in a championship of this magnitude and history. Our goal is to maintain the title and perform in a way that honours the UAE's name,' he said.
Al Etihad
30-06-2025
- Automotive
- Al Etihad
Setback for UAE powerboat teams in F2 World Championship opener
30 June 2025 22:47 Brindisi (Aletihad)Team Abu Dhabi's campaign for the UIM F2 World Championship started in the Italian city of Brindisi in a cloud of disappointment and misfortune for Abu Dhabi and Sharjah the latter, it was an agonising result because their driver André Solvang slipped from third place in the final laps, despite maintaining that position throughout most of the Team Abu Dhabi, Mansoor Al Mansoori was involved in a collision with Monaco's Giacomo Sacchi on the final lap, forcing him out of contention. Reigning world champion Rashed Al Qemzi faced technical problems that prevented him from delivering his usual strong performance, and he ended the round without scoring meaningful contrast, British driver Matthew Palfreyman claimed first place and earned 20 points, followed by France's Peter Morin in second with 15 points, and Sweden's Helmer Wiberg in third with 12 points. Sharjah's Solvang secured fourth place with nine points, after losing his third-place position late in the Dhabi's Italian coach Guido Cappellini is now focusing on the team making a strong comeback in the second round of the championship, which will be held in Lithuania in July. The team remains determined to defend the world title won last season by Al UIM F2 World Championship is one of the most prestigious competitions in international powerboat racing, featuring five rounds of fierce global competition. Both Abu Dhabi and Sharjah still have strong chances to rebound in the upcoming rounds. Al Qemzi, a five-time world champion and one of the most accomplished drivers in the field, has previously recovered from slow starts to go on and win the title – keeping hopes high for a powerful return.
Al Etihad
27-06-2025
- Automotive
- Al Etihad
Team Abu Dhabi to compete in UIM F2 World Championship in Italy
27 June 2025 13:22 BRINDISI, ITALY (WAM)Team Abu Dhabi, representing the Abu Dhabi Marine Sports Club, is set to launch its 2025 UIM F2 World Championship campaign this weekend in the Italian city of Brindisi, with the opening round taking place on Saturday and Sunday, June 28-29 June The team enters the new season with high hopes and strong ambitions to defend its world the team in this round are boat number 1, driven by five-time world champion Rashed Al Qemzi, and boat number 35, piloted by Mansoor Al Mansoori. The team aims to maintain its global dominance after a successful 2024 season that saw Al Qemzi clinch the overall championship title, while Al Mansoori secured third place in the final 2025 UIM F2 World Championship features a highly competitive calendar with five rounds held under the authority of the Union Internationale Motonautique (UIM). The series kicks off in Italy before moving on to Lithuania, Norway, and Portugal, with the final round scheduled to take place in the UAE later this opening round in Brindisi will see official qualifying sessions for F2 boats held on Saturday, June 29, with Q1 beginning at 17:00 local time, followed by Q2 at 18:15, and Q3 from 18:30 to 18:50, which will determine the starting grid for the main Sunday, June 30, the schedule begins with the Repechage Race at 10:00 a.m., followed by the official Warm-Up session from 11:00 to 12:00. The main event — the F2 Grand Prix of Italy — will commence at 18:30, and the round will conclude with the official prize-giving ceremony at 20:00. Team Abu Dhabi remains a powerhouse in international powerboat racing, having claimed multiple F2 world titles, including last season's crown led by Al Qemzi. As the new season unfolds, the team is determined to defend its title and add another achievement to its illustrious record.
Sharjah 24
27-06-2025
- Automotive
- Sharjah 24
Team AD to compete in UIM F2 World Championship in Italy
Representing the team in this round are boat number 1, driven by five-time world champion Rashed Al Qemzi, and boat number 35, piloted by Mansoor Al Mansoori. The team aims to maintain its global dominance after a successful 2024 season that saw Al Qemzi clinch the overall championship title, while Al Mansoori secured third place in the final standings. The 2025 UIM F2 World Championship features a highly competitive calendar with five rounds held under the authority of the Union Internationale Motonautique (UIM). The series kicks off in Italy before moving on to Lithuania, Norway, and Portugal, with the final round scheduled to take place in the UAE later this year. The opening round in Brindisi will see official qualifying sessions for F2 boats held on Saturday, 28th June, with Q1 beginning at 17:00 local time, followed by Q2 at 18:15, and Q3 from 18:30 to 18:50, which will determine the starting grid for the main race. On Sunday, 29th June, the schedule begins with the Repechage Race at 10:00 am, followed by the official Warm-Up session from 11:00 to 12:00. The main event, the F2 Grand Prix of Italy, will commence at 18:30, and the round will conclude with the official prize-giving ceremony at 20:00. Team Abu Dhabi remains a powerhouse in international powerboat racing, having claimed multiple F2 world titles, including last season's crown led by Al Qemzi. As the new season unfolds, the team is determined to defend its title and add another achievement to its illustrious record.
