ABU DHABI // While Philippe Chiappe rode a tactical race Friday to retain his UIM Formula 1 World Championship title, the day ended in a blaze of glory for Team Abu Dhabi drivers Alex Carella and Thani Al Qamzi.
Carella provided Team Abu Dhabi’s first win in 10 years on home waters with Al Qamzi joining the celebrations with a third-place finish after starting last in the grid on the breakwater.
Chiappe took second spot, gaining an unassailable 31-point lead in the race for the driver’s title ahead of next week’s final leg of the series in Sharjah.
“It’s an incredible result to have the winner and third place in Abu Dhabi for the first time in a decade,” said Guido Cappellini, the 10-time Italian world champion and in his first year as manager of Team Abu Dhabi.
“Our target was to win the team title this year and aim for the driver’s title next year. We are almost near to achieving that goal.”
Carella’s victory moved him to joint second on the leaderboard with Victory Team’s American driver Shaun Torrente on 39 points apiece.
However, Al Qamzi’s podium finish meant Team Abu Dhabi took their tally to 73 points, two above Chiappe’s CTIC China, which kept their double celebrations on hold.
It was a dramatic race with Carella getting off to a slow start from pole, trailing Jonas Andersson of Sweden and Finland’s Sami Selio until the penultimate lap of the 48-lap race.
Carella became embroiled in a tussle with Selio over the closing laps. The pair were side-by-side until the Italian surged into the lead go and held to the finish.
Selio was struggling as his boat lost speed and slipped down the leader board to eventually finish fourth.
“My engine didn’t fire at the start,” said Carella after his third career victory in Abu Dhabi. I didn’t think I had a chance to win, but I battled until the end. I also enjoyed some good fortune when the two leaders suffered engine problems towards the end.”
Al Qamzi produced a remarkable drive through the field to snatch a podium finish.
“To start from last and get on to the podium was an excellent result,” said the Emirati.
Chiappe sacrificed speed for safety to finish the race in a position that gave him his second successive world title.
“Obviously the strategy was to keep out of trouble. It worked well for us. I can go out and enjoy in Sharjah next week.”
apassela@thenational.ae
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