UAE-based teams delivered a commanding performance at the opening round of the 2025 UIM F1H2O World Championship, held August 22–24 on the waters of Lake Toba in North Sumatra, Indonesia. The high-stakes sprint races served as the first major test of the season, with the Victory Team and Team Abu Dhabi emerging as the frontrunners after a series of tightly contested races featuring elite powerboat drivers from around the world.
Friday’s Sprint Race 1 began under ideal weather and wave conditions. Defending world champion Jonas Andersson of Sweden secured a decisive win for Team Sweden, maintaining pole position from start to finish across the 14-lap event. He was followed by Sharjah Team’s Rusty Wyatt of Canada, who claimed second, while Britain’s Ben Jelf finished third for the F1 Atlantic Team. Andersson’s clean drive and early lead ensured little opportunity for overtaking, underlining the importance of qualifying positions in sprint formats.
The momentum shifted significantly on Saturday during Sprint Race 2, as UAE-backed competitors took control of the leaderboard. Shaun Torrente of the Dubai-based Victory Team won the race with a narrow margin of just over two seconds ahead of teammate Alec Weckström, marking a one-two finish for the team. Team Abu Dhabi’s Erik Stark took third place, further solidifying the strong showing from the Emirates. The result marked a significant early statement from UAE teams in what is expected to be a closely fought season.
Victory Team and Team Abu Dhabi emerge early leaders
The sprint races at Lake Toba formed part of the broader Grand Prix of Indonesia weekend, attracting 10 international teams and 24 drivers representing 14 countries. Organizers reported smooth race execution, with favorable weather conditions and safe water levels maintained throughout. Officials credited strong coordination between race authorities and Indonesia’s Meteorological, Climatological and Geophysical Agency (BMKG) for ensuring operational stability.
Beyond the podium finishes, several other drivers delivered noteworthy performances during the second sprint. Italian driver Alberto Comparato, Australia’s Grant Trask, and Norway’s Marit Strømøy closely trailed the leaders, finishing within fractions of a second of the top three. Their performances highlighted the competitive depth of the field and the razor-thin margins that define the F1H2O sprint format. The 2025 edition of the F1H2O World Championship marks the third consecutive year that Indonesia has hosted a round of the series on Lake Toba, a strategic location chosen to showcase both international motorsport and regional tourism.
Indonesia’s Lake Toba delivers improved racing infrastructure
Indonesian officials, including event director Rully Habibie, confirmed that logistics, safety protocols, and infrastructure upgrades at the venue have significantly improved since the event’s debut in 2023. Attention now turns to the main Grand Prix race scheduled for Sunday, where teams will compete over a longer course for critical championship points. With UAE teams already establishing early dominance and other contenders such as Andersson demonstrating consistent pace, the championship battle is expected to intensify in subsequent rounds.
The F1H2O World Championship is one of the premier international powerboat racing series sanctioned by the Union Internationale Motonautique. It features multiple rounds across Europe, the Middle East, and Asia, drawing elite competitors and extensive global viewership. With the Lake Toba opener setting the tone, the 2025 season begins with UAE teams firmly in contention, laying down a strong foundation as they pursue team and individual titles in the months ahead. – By MENA Newswire News Desk.