Arand Aims to Stay in Top Four at Shanghai F1H2O Race

Estonian UIM F1H2O and F2 racer Stefan Arand is preparing for the second round of the F1H2O series this week in Shanghai, China, with cautious optimism about maintaining his strong championship position.

Ready for the Challenge

Speaking ahead of the race, Arand told ERR Sport that he is approaching the event with a realistic yet confident mindset.

“The team has worked incredibly hard, all the boat hull damage from the previous stage has been repaired, and the engines and team are ready.”

He acknowledged that uncertainties remain about how the Shanghai circuit will suit his new boat. “We’ll see how the track suits us and the new boat – there’s hope that it will. We’ll know more precisely after Thursday’s first free practice session.”

Championship Ambitions

Currently sitting in fourth place in the overall standings, Arand is focused on defending or improving his position. “Right now we’re going into the stage in fourth position in the overall table and we’ll give our best to maintain or improve that position,” he stated.

The championship leader board shows Canadian Rusty Wyatt at the top, followed by Finland’s Alec Weckström and Britain’s Ben Jelf, with Arand in fourth place with 15 points after the season-opening round in Indonesia last August.

Overcoming Past Trauma

China holds some difficult memories for the Estonian racer. Last year in Zhengzhou, Arand experienced what he describes as the biggest crash of his career.

“It happened in the starting corner of the first sprint race, when a competitor on the outside of me got a better start and created a disputed situation regarding maintaining his starting line, which resulted in a hard aerial flight,” Arand recalled. “That is my career’s biggest accident!”

Despite that, Arand appears determined to put the past behind him and focus on the task at hand in Shanghai.