The 2025 Grand Prix of Sharjah was the best and worst of days for Grant Trask. Second place – his finest result in nine years of F1H2O racing – and the news, delivered the same evening, that Jonas Andersson was closing Team Sweden.
The Sharjah race
Grant, when we had a chat after the Sharjah race, your best result ever had just been overshadowed by the news that Jonas was disbanding the team. What was going through your head that evening?
It was a great finish to the season for our side of the tent as we had been having fuel tank issues for the season, even up until Q3 in Sharjah. To finish strong on the podium was a great result. It was a hard thing to hear that Jonas was closing Team Sweden as we were building a strong forward momentum. But fully understood and respected Jonas’ decision. He was a great teammate and an even better friend. I look forward to battles with him in 2026.
You pushed Stefan Arand hard for 40 laps. At what point did you think you had a chance of winning it?
Once I finally overtook Rusty after a long battle I knew I had the pace to challenge for the win. Unfortunately I pushed a little too hard and made a few mistakes which pushed me back to 12 seconds off.
The call from Sharjah Team
How did the Sharjah Team opportunity come about?
It began at the Gala dinner in Sharjah. I was saying goodbye to Ahmed and he asked what my plans were for 2026.
Scott Gillman won four world titles as a driver. What does it mean to have someone of that calibre running your programme?
I raced for Scott in 2023 under the Madcroc Gillman Racing banner. He was very good to drive for and had a very relaxed, welcoming environment. I am looking forward to working for him in 2026, as well as Rusty and Stefan. The three of us get along very well, so we will be a very strong team.
You went from no drive to one of the most ambitious line-ups on the grid. Three boats, two proven race winners as teammates, a team publicly pushing for the Teams’ Championship. Pressure or motivation?
Motivation. Sharjah Team is a very strong team between management, mechanics, crew and drivers.
Nine years to a podium
Twenty-four starts across nine years before your first podium. Most drivers would have walked away. What kept you coming back?
I don’t know how to give up. Look at Nico Hulkenberg.
You started 2025 with China CTIC in Indonesia, then moved to Team Sweden mid-season. How did that come about – and what did Jonas give you that you hadn’t had before?
Jonas actually rang me a couple of hours after the agreement came about with the China team. After Indonesia we had different goals to the boat owner so we went our separate ways and joined Jonas.
Racing without a prosthetic
Has racing without a prosthetic leg ever been a conversation with a team – something you’ve had to justify or explain?
Every team I have driven for has been very accommodating in modifying the boats to accommodate for it.
The “leggie” in the boat at Shanghai – you’d promised that for a long time. Who did you make that promise to?
It was a promise to my Dad after he put so much into helping me reach my goal of racing in the premier league of F1 boats.
The family connection
Trask’s father Bob raced F1H2O from 2002 to 2008. Uncle David raced from 2004 to 2008, collecting podiums and pole positions.
Did that family background make it easier to get into the sport, or harder – because you had something to prove?
It made it easier in having the contacts to be able to join. But I had big shoes to fill to be able to reach the level that they had achieved.
Looking ahead
Rusty Wyatt and Stefan Arand are your teammates now rather than rivals. How does that change the dynamic?
The three of us genuinely catch up after each race weekend on the Sunday, and I talk to Rusty and Ray a fair bit on non-race weekends. I think it will be a good laugh and fun in the pits.
What are Sharjah Team’s realistic prospects for the Teams’ Championship in 2026?
Scott and Ahmed are pushing for the team and drivers’ championship in 2026. The 2026 Sharjah Team driver line-up filled the podium in the 2025 Sharjah GP. So I’d say we have a great chance of pushing the team that step further.
Trask’s point is hard to argue with. Arand won. Wyatt finished third. Trask was second. If those three are now pulling in the same direction, Victory Team will need to be at their very best to hold them off.
Grant Trask’s 2026 season with Sharjah Team is covered in our team announcement article. Background on his career and route to F1H2O: Trask: Where Now?
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.
