Rashed Al Qemzi Aims for Historic 5th World Title in F2 Powerboat Racing
Team Abu Dhabi’s Rashed Al Qemzi is poised for a flying start to the new season in Italy this weekend as he sets his sights on becoming the first-ever five-time winner of the UIM F2 World Championship.
Currently sharing the distinction of four F2 world titles with Sweden's Erik Stark, the Emirati driver is determined to surpass Stark and cement his place in the record books.
“I really want to be the five-time world champion,” said Al Qemzi, who is testing a new boat over three days in San Nazzaro ahead of Sunday’s Grand Prix of Italy in Brindisi, the opening round of this year’s championship. “I hope everything works well, and that I’ll be fighting for the title again. At times, I do feel under pressure. Some drivers start the season very fast, and it can be tough. But if I win the first race, that puts me in a strong position, and that’s what I have done each year that I’ve taken the title.”
Team Abu Dhabi continues to pair Al Qemzi with Mansoor Al Mansoori, who finished fifth in last year’s championship after securing third place on the podium in 2022. The duo were teammates in Abu Dhabi’s 2021 World Endurance Championship triumph, a significant milestone in Al Qemzi’s career, who was also part of the 2019 title-winning lineup.
“I’ve changed a lot as a driver because of all the experience I’ve gained in F2 over the last few years,” he said. “But my experience in endurance racing made the biggest difference. I was driving for one hour 50 minutes at a time in the 12-hour and 24-hour races as part of a team that beat the best in the world to take the championship.”
Al Qemzi's success last year contributed to Team Abu Dhabi’s 17th world championship title since powerboat racing legend Guido Cappellini took charge in 2015. Al Qemzi credits Cappellini with having a significant influence on his career.
“Guido is always there for me and helps in many ways,” he said. “If I can’t find a good balance on the boat, I go to see him and he finds a solution.”
As the new season kicks off, all eyes are on Al Qemzi to see if he can make history with his fifth world title, starting with a strong performance at the Grand Prix of Italy in Brindisi.
