UIM F2 Grand Prix of Portugal I – Free Practice Report: Sunday Morning, Peso da Régua

Peso da Régua, Portugal – September 14, 2025

The UIM F2 World Championship heads into the penultimate round of the 2025 season on the stunning Douro River circuit in Peso da Régua, where the tight turns and flowing waters of this Portuguese gem promise another thrilling spectacle. With the championship battle heating up after two rounds in Brindisi and Klaipėda, today’s free practice session set the tone for the afternoon’s Grand Prix race. Peter Morin leads the standings on 30 points ahead of Hilmer Wiberg (24), with Matthew Palfreyman and Mathilda Wiberg tied on 22. Following yesterday’s qualifying results, drivers fine-tuned their setups under clear skies, though not without some drama.

Lithuanian ace Edgaras Riabko stole the show in the 45-minute session, clocking a blistering best lap of 41.675 seconds to top the timesheets. Riabko, starting the weekend outside the top eight in the championship on just 9 points, explained the breakthrough: his radio man, Karolis Ramoska, revealed that a late-night strategy session led to a revamped approach to the course, including altered racing lines to exploit the river’s currents more effectively. This paid dividends, as Riabko completed 27 laps and looked composed throughout.

British driver Matthew Palfreyman, who suffered an accident in qualifying yesterday, shrugged off any lingering concerns to post the second-fastest time of 42.279 – briefly leading the session before Riabko’s late charge. Palfreyman, third in the championship, racked up 29 laps for a total time of 36:14.871, showing his boat was back in fighting shape.

Local hero Duarte Benavente impressed in third with a 42.569, though his session was shorter at just 10 laps (total 10:25.246). Giacomo Sacchi (MON) and Hilmer Wiberg (SWE, second in points) were inseparable in fourth and fifth, both within a second of Riabko’s benchmark.

Notable absentees and issues marred the session for some frontrunners. Championship contender Mathilda Wiberg (SWE, tied for third) opted to sit out entirely, prioritising a clean start in the race this afternoon over risking any pre-race tweaks – her team confirmed it’s all about conserving energy for the 45-lap showdown. Meanwhile, Norwegian André Solvang struggled with engine troubles, failing to register a competitive lap after throttle issues sidelined him early; he ended the session unclassified after limited running.

Rashed Al Qemzi (UAE, absent from the top 10 here but a past champion) managed seventh with a 42.900, but his brief 7-lap stint suggests setup work is ongoing. Further back, Stefan Arand (EST, fifth in standings) and Nelson Morin (FRA, brother of leader Peter) showed solid pace in ninth and sixth, respectively.

The session highlighted the competitiveness on this 1685 m circuit, with the top 10 covered by just over two seconds. As teams head into the 15:45 race start, expect Riabko’s momentum to challenge the established order, while leaders like Morin (eighth today) and Wiberg will aim to consolidate their positions.

Free Practice Results

John Moore

John Moore’s 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 2025, he established Powerboat News, returning to independent journalism with a focus on neutral and comprehensive coverage of the sport.