Today's Edition
ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD)
Sharjah Team made a commanding start to the 2026 UIM F1H2O World Championship season after rookie sensation Stefan Arand powered to victory in a dramatic and incident-filled Grand Prix of Italy in Cagliari on Sunday.
The Estonian led home teammate Grant Trask to secure a one-two finish for the UAE outfit, while Team Abu Dhabi drivers Erik Stark and Rashed Al Qemzi battled through difficult conditions to finish 8th and 11th respectively in a race that saw five drivers barrel roll out of contention.
The championship's return to the Sardinian city for the first time in more than two decades produced one of the most chaotic races in recent memory, with rough waters and strong winds creating treacherous conditions throughout the afternoon.
A late decision to adopt a rolling start due to worsening weather immediately put pressure on pole-sitter Shaun Torrente of Dubai's Victory Team. The reigning world champion initially held the lead before a mistake at Turn 3 opened the door for Sharjah Team's Rusty Wyatt.
However, both title contenders suffered dramatic exits shortly after the restart. Wyatt barrel rolled while attempting to retake the lead, and moments later Torrente also flipped out of the race, leaving the championship favourites pointless and handing the initiative to Arand.
The 20-year-old Sharjah driver seized the opportunity with a composed and mature display, steadily building a comfortable advantage over the chasing pack. Even a late safety interruption, caused by another spectacular crash failed to unsettle him.
Arand set the fastest lap of the race and looked in complete control before the event eventually ended under yellow-flag conditions following another accident. The victory continued his impressive momentum after winning the final race of the 2025 season in Sharjah.
Sharjah Team manager Scott Gillman, who won the last F1H2O race held in Cagliari in 2004, praised his young driver afterwards. "Stefan in the rough waters is one of the toughest to beat," Gillman said.
"Stefan is going to be a tough, tough contender for the title." Trask completed a memorable day for Sharjah by securing second place, while Poland's Bartek Marszalek rounded out the podium. For Team Abu Dhabi, the race proved more challenging.
Former world champion Jonas Andersson showed impressive pace after starting deep in the field but slipped back to sixth after technical issues and race incidents disrupted his charge.
Stark recovered from the rear of the grid following an engine change before qualifying to collect valuable championship points in eighth place, while Al Qemzi endured a difficult afternoon but managed to reach the finish.
Only 11 of the 18 starters were classified after a race of attrition that underlined the demanding nature of the Cagliari circuit. Yet from a UAE perspective, the opening round belonged emphatically to Sharjah Team, whose dominant performance leaves Arand at the top of the championship standings heading into the next round.
