Friday, 11 August, Harbin (China): Mad Croc BABA Racing’s Sami Selio made a very solid start in his quest to defend his pole position and race title at this weekend’s UIM F1H2O Grand of Harbin in China, posting the sixth fastest time in today’s official practice.
For the first time this season weather was not a limiting factor giving teams the chance to get out on the water on a Friday, with Selio using the 90 minute session to run 25 laps and post a best time of 43.77s around the 2.049km Hulan Estuary Wetland Park circuit. “It was okay. I didn’t push too much because there is no reason to. We tested various set-ups, got used to the difference in the circuit from last year, saved the engine and checked everything works but tomorrow’s qualifying is the first target,” commented Selio.
Watching from the side lines was teammate Filip Roms, and whilst a somewhat frustrated spectator the good news for Roms is that the team has identified the problem that has hindered him from achieving what he is capable of so far this season. “We found out what the problem with Filip’s boat is and yesterday and today the team has worked hard to fix it, completely relining the fuel tank and hopefully tomorrow he will get the opportunity to compete properly.”
Tomorrow the Mad Croc duo get another opportunity to focus on and refine set-ups with practice starting at 10.30hrs [LOCAL] followed by BRM Official Qualifying at 15.00hrs, with Selio and Roms aiming to repeat the impressive one-two they achieved in Harbin this time last year.
RESULTS:
Pos Boat Driver Nat Team Best Lap
1 CARELLA Alex UAE Abu Dhabi 0:42.76
2 STARK Erik SWE Sweden 0:42.92
3 TORRENTE Shaun UAE Victory 0:43.05
4 CHIAPPE Philippe FRA CTIC F1 SZ China 0:43.59
5 AL HAMELI Ahmed UAE Victory 0:43.68
6 SELIO Sami FIN Mad Croc Baba Racing 0:43.77
7 AL QEMZI Thani UAE Abu Dhabi 0:43.83
8 MARSZALEK Bartek POL Blaze Performance 0:44.11
9 BENAVENTE Duarte POR F1 Atlantic 0:44.18
10 STROMOY Marit NOR Emirates Racing 0:44.44
11 ANDERSSON Jonas SWE Sweden 0:44.65
12 MORIN Peter FRA CTIC F1 Sz China 0:44.81
13 TRASK Grant AUS F1 Atlantic 0:44.83
14 SZYMURA Mike GER Emirates Racing 0:45.05
15 AL QEMZI Rashed UAE Abu Dhabi 0:45.81
16 CANTANDO Francesco ITA Blaze F1 Team 0:47.01
17 DEGUISNE Cedric FRA Maverick F1 Team 0:47.03
18 JOUSSEAUME Amaury FRA Maverick F1 Team 0:48.58
19 ROMS Filip FIN Mad Croc Baba Racing DNS