Breaking: Torrente is crowned 2022 UIM F1H2O World Champion after Philippe Chiappe wins the Middle East GP

SHARJAH (UAE): Sunday, December 18:  China CTIC driver Philippe Chiappe claimed victory on his very last race in a pulsating Road to Sharjah Grand Prix of the Middle East on ‘Showdown Sunday’ on Khaled Lagoon.

But, despite destroying his DAC in a spectacular collision with team-mate and title rival Thani Al-Qemzi, Team Abu Dhabi’s Shaun Torrente claimed a third world title to add to his wins in 2018 and 2019, after Team Sweden’s Jonas Andersson was forced out of the race lead with technical issues 10 tours from the finish of the 38-lap race.

Chiappe gained the lead when Andersson withdrew and reached the chequered flag 2.73 seconds clear of Poland’s Bartek Marszalek, with young Italian Alberto Comparato confirming the last place on the podium. After announcing his retirement from top-flight competition before the race weekend, the success marked Chiappe’s 10th career GP win and his first since Abu Dhabi in 2017 in a career spanning 23 years at the top of the sport.

2022 Road to Sharjah Grand Prix of the Middle East – result:

1. Phillipe Chiappe (FRA) China CTIC Team   38 laps

2. Bartek Marszalek (POL) Strømøy Racing F1H2O Team    @ 2.73 seconds

3. Alberto Comparato (ITA) Comparato F1     @ 17.48 seconds

4. Alec Weckström (FIN) Gillman Racing   @ 23.57 seconds

5. Kalle Viippo (FIN) Team Sweden   @ 28.90 seconds

6. Cédric Deguisne (FRA) Maverick Racing  @ 50.17 seconds

7. Ben Jelf (GBR) F1 Atlantic Team  2 laps behind

8. Alexandre Bourgeot (FRA) Maverick Racing   2 laps behind

Duarte Benavente (POR) F1 Atlantic Team  DNF

Jonas Andersson (SWE) Team Sweden  DNF

Peter Morin (FRA) China CTIC Team  DNF

Ferdinand Zandbergen (NLD) Sharjah Team  DNF

Thani Al-Qemzi (UAE) Team Abu Dhabi  DNF

Shaun Torrente (USA) Team Abu Dhabi   DNF

Filip Roms (FIN) Gillman Racing  DNF

Paulo Longhi (ITA) Comparato F1   DNS

Marit Strømøy (NOR) Strømøy Racing F1H2O Team   DNS

Sami Selio (FIN) Sharjah Team  DNS

2022 UIM F1H2O World Championship – final standings:

1. Shaun Torrente (USA) Team Abu Dhabi   69pts   

2. Jonas Andersson (SWE) Team Sweden   66pts   

3. Thani Al-Qemzi (UAE) Team Abu Dhabi   59pts                 

4. Alec Weckström (FIN) Gillman Racing  48pts                 

5. Ferdinand Zandbergen (NLD) Sharjah Team   34pts   

6. Philippe Chiappe (FRA) China CTIC Team  33pts   

7. Bartek Marszalek (POL) Strømøy Racing F1H2O Team  33pts   

8. Alberto Comparato (ITA) Comparato F1    26pts   

9. Peter Morin (FRA) China CTIC Team   21pts   

10. Kalle Viippo (FIN) Team Sweden   19pts

11. Cédric Deguisne (FRA) Maverick Racing   16pts   

12. Sami Selio (FIN) Sharjah Team   15pts

13. Marit Strømøy (NOR) Strømøy Racing F1H2O Team  10pts   

14. Alexandre Bourgeot (FRA) Maverick Racing    9pts     

15. Ben Jelf (GBR) F1 Atlantic Team  4pts

16. Duarte Benavente (POR) F1 Atlantic Team  0pts

2022 UIM F1H2O Pole Position Trophy – final standings:

1. Shaun Torrente (USA) Team Abu Dhabi   74pts   

2. Jonas Andersson (SWE) Team Sweden    62pts

3. Sami Selio (FIN) Sharjah Team   56pts

4. Philippe Chiappe (FRA) China CTIC Team   56pts   

5. Thani Al-Qemzi (UAE) Team Abu Dhabi   54pts                

6. Alberto Comparato (ITA) Comparato F1   36pts   

7. Ferdinand Zandbergen (NLD) Sharjah Team  30pts   

8. Bartek Marszalek (POL) Strømøy Racing F1H2O Team   12pts   

9. Alec Weckström (FIN) Gillman Racing   12pts

10. Peter Morin (FRA) China CTIC Team  9pts

11. Kalle Viippo (FIN) Team Sweden   7pts