Italy’s Alberto Comparato has been confirmed as the 2018 UIM F2 World Champion after the UIM announced that a replacement venue for the cancelled Sri Lanka round could not be found. The 20-year-old Italian, who took wins in Kaunas and Tønsberg, was contacted directly by the championship authorities with the news.
UIM Formula Committee Chairman Giacomo Borgonovi wrote to all competitors to confirm the championship was formally closed.
“I wish to inform you that despite our efforts it has not been possible to recoup the last race of the Championship. For what mentioned above I am officially closing the 2018 F2 World Championship with the overall classification as present published on the UIM web site. I wish to thank you very much all of you for your precious cooperation and for your kind understanding. To all Drivers and all Teams my personal regards.” Giacomo Borgonovi, UIM Formula Committee Chairman
Comparato’s title was not won without earning it. He took the maximum 20 points in Lithuania and Norway, then drove a measured race to fifth in Portugal to consolidate his lead. He is only the second Italian to win the F2 world title; his father claimed it at Corfu in 2001, seventeen years earlier.
The championship may not have ended on the water, but Comparato was in no doubt about the value of what he had achieved. He spoke to me shortly after the confirmation came through.
“To be honest, it’s a dream to win the F2 title. My father and I have worked hard for the last three years with many test laps and finally we have made it. Of course it would have been better to know this at a race weekend, but only one Italian driver has won the F2 world title before me and that was my father in Corfu 2001, seventeen years ago.” Alberto Comparato
The preparation behind the title was exceptional. Comparato and his father began testing before Christmas 2017, immediately after the previous season’s final round at Ribadouro, and completed more than 1,500 laps over the winter.
“Yes, we started just after the Ribadouro race last year. I knew I could win, I just couldn’t afford to make any mistakes at any race weekend.” Alberto Comparato
Of his two race victories, the one in Tønsberg meant more to him personally.
“The toughest win was in Norway. I wanted to win there so much. As everyone knows it’s my favourite race weekend. I didn’t think about the championship, I just went for the win.” Alberto Comparato
With the 2018 title secured, Comparato was already thinking ahead, though not before taking a moment to enjoy what he had achieved.
“I will start training very soon for 2019. Now I want to enjoy my win.” Alberto Comparato
2018 UIM F2 World Championship – final standings
| Pos | Driver | Nationality | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alberto Comparato | Italy | 47 |
| 2 | Rashed Al Qemzi | UAE | 29 |
| 3 | Edgaras Riabko | Lithuania | 27 |
| 4 | Tobias Munthe-Kaas | Norway | 23 |
| 5 | Brent Dillard | USA | 19 |
| 6 | Duarte Benavente | Portugal | 18 |
| 7 | Rashid Al Tayer | UAE | 15 |
| 8 | Stefan Hagin | Germany | 12 |
| 9 | Daniel Segenmark | Sweden | 11 |
| 10 | Alex Carella | UAE | 9 |
| 11 | Héctor Sanz | Spain | 5 |
| 12 | Bimba Sjöholm | Sweden | 4 |
| 12 | Ferdinand Zandbergen | Netherlands | 4 |
| 12 | Ola Pettersson | Sweden | 4 |
| 15 | Ruppert Temper | Austria | 3 |
| 16 | Oskar Samuelsson | Sweden | 2 |
| 17 | Mette Bjerknes | Norway | 1 |
| 17 | Kalle Viippo | Finland | 1 |
John Moore is the editor of Powerboat News, an independent investigative journalism platform recognised by Google News and documented on Grokipedia for comprehensive powerboat racing coverage.
His involvement in powerboat racing began in 1981 when he competed in his first offshore powerboat race. After a career as a Financial Futures broker in the City of London, specialising in UK interest rate markets, he became actively involved in event organisation and powerboat racing journalism.
He served as Event Director for the Cowes–Torquay–Cowes races between 2010 and 2013. In 2016, he launched Powerboat Racing World, a digital platform providing global powerboat racing news and insights. The following year, he co-founded UKOPRA, helping to rejuvenate offshore racing in the United Kingdom. He sold Powerboat Racing World in late 2021 and remained actively involved with UKOPRA until 2025.
In September 2025, he established Powerboat News, returning to independent journalism with a focus on neutral and comprehensive coverage of the sport.
