Trask Stands Tall With Third Place On Team Sweden Debut

Grant Trask delivered the performance of his F1H2O career with third place at the Shanghai Grand Prix, securing his first-ever World Championship podium on his debut for Team Sweden alongside reigning champion Jonas Andersson.

The Australian, who races without his prosthetic leg after losing his right leg at age five in a truck accident, celebrated in style – fulfilling a long-standing promise to perform a “leggie” (showing his prosthetic) when he reached the F1H2O podium.

“Well he said when he gets on the podium for an F1H2O Grand Prix he would do a leggie and today Grant did both!” his social media post read. “8 years of determination has paid off and this weekend Team Sweden gave everyone a taste of what’s to come with this duo.”

A Dream Debut

Trask’s move from China CTIC Team to Team Sweden, announced just before the Shanghai round, has paid immediate dividends. Starting from third on the grid after a strong qualifying performance, he held position throughout the chaotic 39-lap race to cross the line behind team-mate Andersson and Shaun Torrente.

The result marks the culmination of eight years pursuing his F1H2O dream and represents Team Sweden’s perfect start with their new line-up – a 1-3 finish that moves them into serious championship contention.

Andersson was effusive in his praise: “Grant, a fantastic drive. The first time in the boat driving and to finish number three shows he may become a problem for me!”

For Trask, the emotions were clear: “I feel awesome. I’ve got to give it to Team Sweden. What a package they have put together. It is awesome, very loose and very fast. I hope that this is a long relationship. Let’s hope we get Team Sweden back on the top.”

The Trask Legacy

The Trask name carries weight in Australian powerboat racing. Grant’s father Bob competed in the F1H2O World Championship from 2002 to 2008, whilst uncle David raced from 2004 to 2008, scoring podiums and a memorable pole at the 2007 French Grand Prix in La Rochelle.

Grant became the third Trask to reach the world stage when he fulfilled his childhood dream by joining the championship in Abu Dhabi in 2016.

“It’s been a dream all my life to race on the international UIM F1H2O circuit ever since I watched my father do so,” Grant said at the time. “Now he’ll be helping me chase my dream of someday becoming World Champion, and it’s so very special to have the ‘Trask Brand’ back in the sport.”

Climbing Through Adversity

The childhood accident that cost him his leg became the foundation of his mental toughness. Grant races without his prosthetic, operating the foot throttle entirely with his left leg whilst controlling everything else by hand.

His domestic career built steadily: Rookie of the Year in both Australian F3 and F2 in 2005, followed by titles in F3 (2006) and F2 (2007, 2008). After a business-related break between 2010 and 2013, he returned to claim the 2016 Unlimited Outboard Championship.

His international F1H2O career has seen highs and lows. The 2017 season with F1 Atlantic delivered his previous best results, including a 6th place finish. After racing in a GTR hull designed by his father in 2018, he took a break before returning with Mad-Croc Gillman Racing in 2023.

A sixth-place finish at the Grand Prix of Indonesia earlier this season with China CTIC Team showed he was getting closer to the breakthrough result.

Team Sweden Rising

The podium finish moves Trask to 32 championship points, tied for fifth place with Stefan Arand. More significantly, it demonstrates that Team Sweden’s driver pairing could be a genuine force for the remainder of the season.

With Andersson’s victory and Trask’s podium, Team Sweden sent a clear message to their rivals in Shanghai. As the team heads to Zhengzhou on 11-12 October, the momentum is firmly with them.

For Grant Trask, the journey from that devastating childhood accident to an F1H2O podium represents something far greater than a trophy. It’s proof that determination, talent, and refusing to accept limitations can overcome any obstacle.

And yes, he did the leggie.