The UIM F1H2O World Championship opens its 2026 season in Cagliari, Sardinia. The Regione Sardegna Grand Prix of Italy takes place from Friday 29 May to Sunday 31 May, with the Grand Prix race starting at 15:05 local time on Sunday afternoon.
Entry to watch the racing at Su Siccu is free. The only paid option is the VIP Hospitality Experience, which includes paddock access, hospitality, and a gala dinner, bookable at h2oshop.net.
What You Will See
UIM F1H2O powerboats are Mercury Racing-powered outboard racers, each carrying one driver in a fully enclosed safety cell. The 2026 championship runs two engine options: the established 2.5-litre 2-stroke EFI, producing close to 400hp at 10,500rpm, and the newer 360 APX, a 4.6-litre 4-stroke V8 producing 360hp or more. Both run on 100LL Avgas. Boat and driver together weigh 550kg; the combination reaches 100km/h from rest in under two seconds and tops out at over 250km/h.
The circuit format keeps the boats close throughout; the course is short enough that several are on the same stretch of water at any given point, which makes for concentrated, visible racing from the shore.
This is not a stadium event. The circuit is set in the harbour bay, and spectators watch from the public waterfront promenade and the areas around Su Siccu. Metallic barriers mark the safe viewing zones along the seafront. No ticket is required.
The event runs to a three-day format introduced in recent seasons. Friday covers two free practice sessions on the water. Saturday morning brings qualifying to set the grid, followed in the afternoon by two Sprint Races, shorter high-intensity heats that carry world championship points. Sunday is the main race day, with a warm-up session in the morning and the Grand Prix starting at 15:05.
A 2-seater F1H2O demonstration boat runs on both Saturday and Sunday. This is a purpose-built boat with a second enclosed seat alongside the driver, used for VIP and media passenger runs at race speeds. These sessions are worth watching from the shore.
The Federazione Italiana Motonautica (FIM) national racing series also runs as a support class throughout the weekend, providing additional on-water action on both Saturday and Sunday.
Race Course
Event Schedule
All times are Central European Summer Time (CEST, UTC+2).
| Session | Local time (CEST, UTC+2) | Your time |
|---|---|---|
| Friday, 29 May | ||
| Free Practice 1 – F1H2O | 14:30–15:30 | 14:30 |
| Free Practice 2 – F1H2O | 16:30–17:30 | 16:30 |
| Saturday, 30 May | ||
| FIM national racing | 08:30–09:30 | 08:30 |
| Qualification – F1H2O | 10:00–11:00 | 10:00 |
| 2-Seater demonstration | 11:30–12:30 | 11:30 |
| FIM national racing | 12:30–13:30 | 12:30 |
| Parade Lap – Sprint Race 1 | 14:45 | 14:45 |
| Sprint Race 1 – F1H2O | 15:05–15:20 | 15:05 |
| Parade Lap – Sprint Race 2 | 15:35 | 15:35 |
| Sprint Race 2 – F1H2O | 15:50–16:05 | 15:50 |
| Prize Giving – Sprint Races | 16:15 | 16:15 |
| 2-Seater demonstration | 16:30–17:30 | 16:30 |
| Sunday, 31 May | ||
| FIM national racing | 09:00–10:00 | 09:00 |
| Warm Up – F1H2O | 10:15–11:15 | 10:15 |
| FIM national racing | 11:30–12:30 | 11:30 |
| 2-Seater demonstration | 12:30–14:00 | 12:30 |
| Parade Lap – Grand Prix | 14:45–15:00 | 14:45 |
| Regione Sardegna Grand Prix of Italy – F1H2O | 15:05–15:50 | 15:05 |
| Prize Giving Ceremony | 15:50 | 15:50 |
Times shown are Central European Summer Time (CEST, UTC+2). Your local time is calculated automatically.
Venue and Practical Information
The race takes place on the waters of Su Siccu, Cagliari’s harbour waterfront, right in the heart of the city. Cagliari is the capital of Sardinia, on the island’s southern coast, and is served by Cagliari Elmas Airport roughly 6km from the city centre.
Viewing is from the public promenade along the Cagliari seafront. No ticket is required. Arrive early on Saturday and Sunday, as large crowds are expected. Check the Comune di Cagliari social channels or the F1H2O Instagram closer to the event for confirmed viewing zone information.
VIP Hospitality packages, including paddock access, buffet, and gala dinner, are available at h2oshop.net.
2026 UIM F1H2O World Championship
The Regione Sardegna Grand Prix of Italy is Round 1 of the 2026 UIM F1H2O World Championship. Follow the full season at Powerboat News.
F1H2O Coverage
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.
