F1H2O Shanghai: Weckström takes his first pole position
The newsroomUpdated on October 4, 20263 minF1H2O in Shanghai: Alec Weckström takes his first career pole (43.986) ahead of Torrente and Arand. Sprint grids and Monday's Grand Prix start time.
Key point
Alec Weckström (Victory Team) takes the first F1H2O pole of his career in Shanghai with a 43.986, ahead of team-mate and championship leader Shaun Torrente and Stefan Arand.
Alec Weckström took the first pole position of his F1H2O career in qualifying for the Grand Prix of Shanghai, the third round of the 2026 UIM World Championship, on Sunday 4 October. The Victory Team driver set a lap of 43.986, the first under 44 seconds all weekend, to complete a team one-two with Shaun Torrente.
Victory Team in front, Arand third
Torrente, the championship leader, shares the front row: he recorded 44.193, 0.207 s slower than his team-mate. Stefan Arand, who is only 4 points behind him in the standings, starts third for Sharjah Team (44.321).
- Sami Selio (Comparato Racing): fourth
- Grant Trask (Sharjah Team): fifth
- Stefan Hagin (China CTIC Team): sixth, the only driver in the final session on a Moore hull
A three-part qualifying session
Arand set the fastest time in the first session with a 45.362, and Weckström was quickest in the second. In Q3, Weckström set the tone on his opening lap (44.180). Torrente got within 0.013 s on his sixth lap, but Weckström responded with a 43.986.
A difficult day for Team Abu Dhabi
Jonas Andersson, last year's Grand Prix winner in Shanghai, completed only two laps in Q1 before an engine problem: he was eliminated and will start sixteenth. Rashed Al Qemzi's boat stopped in Q2 and he qualified ninth. Erik Stark, quickest early in Q1, missed Q3 by 0.006 s to Alberto Comparato and qualified eighth.
On the safety side, Bartek Marszalek (Stromoy Racing) did not take part in qualifying after his boat flipped in the first free practice session. He is unhurt, but the damage to his hull rules him out of Sunday's racing.
The sprints and the Grand Prix
The format splits the field in two according to qualifying. Each sprint runs over 18 laps and its winner scores 10 points.
- Sprint 1: Weckström on pole, ahead of Selio and Trask.
- Sprint 2: Torrente and Arand share the front row, ahead of Hagin.
The Grand Prix of Shanghai is held on Monday at 15:05 local time. Can Weckström upset the order between Torrente and Arand? The answer comes in the sprints and then in the race.
Frequently asked questions
Who took pole position at the F1H2O Grand Prix of Shanghai?
Alec Weckström (Victory Team), with a 43.986, the first pole of his F1H2O career. Team-mate Shaun Torrente is second and Stefan Arand third.
When is the Grand Prix of Shanghai?
On Monday 5 October at 15:05 local time, with the grid set by qualifying. The two sprints are run on Sunday 4 October.
How many points do the sprints award?
Each sprint winner scores 10 points. Both sprints run over 18 laps.
Sources
- F1H2O — Alec Weckström storms to first career pole in Shanghai
- Powerboat News — Weckström takes first F1H2O pole as Victory Team lead Shanghai qualifying
Written by the Karrazmotorsport newsroom, proofread before publication. For settings, always refer to your vehicle's manual. Our charter.
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