Two-time UIM F1H2O World Champion Sami Seliö has posted what appears to be a retirement message on social media, potentially bringing to a close a 27-year career at powerboat racing’s highest level.
The Finnish driver shared an image on Sunday afternoon showing him in his Red Devil race suit overlooking a race venue, accompanied by the words: “SUCCESS IS NOT ONLY MEDALS, BUT WHAT YOU LEAVE BEHIND!” Whilst Seliö has not explicitly confirmed retirement, the reflective tone and timing suggest he may be stepping away from competitive racing.
Two Championships Define Career
Seliö’s career peaked with world championship victories in 2007 and 2010. His first title came in dramatic circumstances at Sharjah, where he overcame a 16-point deficit to Italian legend Guido Cappellini when the leader’s boat failed ten laps from the finish. Seliö won the race to claim the title by four points.
Three years later he secured his second championship at the final race, overcoming American Jay Price. Between those titles, he never finished outside the top three, placing second in 2008 and third in 2009.
Across 27 seasons, Seliö amassed 13 Grand Prix victories, 38 additional podium finishes and 26 career pole positions. That qualifying record ranks third in F1H2O history behind only Guido Cappellini and Scott Gillman. He surpassed 1000 career championship points during the 2022 season.
From Rookie to Mentor
Seliö claimed the Rookie of the Year award in his 1998 debut season. His breakthrough came in 2005 when he finished second overall, serving notice that he had developed into a title contender. His first Grand Prix victory followed at La Rochelle during his 2007 championship campaign.
The 2013 season brought heartbreak when he arrived at the final race leading the championship but crashed in qualifying and retired from the race, losing his chance at a third title.
In March 2019, Seliö joined Sharjah Team, where he transitioned into both a driver and mentor role. He guided Dutch driver Ferdinand Zandbergen from F2 to F1H2O, with Zandbergen later scoring his maiden victory. In 2024, Seliö managed and drove for the Red Devil SMC F1 Team before returning to Sharjah Team for 2025.
Building the Next Generation
Beyond racing, Seliö dedicated himself to developing powerboat racing infrastructure in Finland. He promoted the GT10 class, which has become Finland’s equivalent of sailing’s Optimist class for introducing young drivers to the sport.
His son Sisu Seliö won the 2022 UIM GT10 Finnish Championship. The next generation of Finnish F1H2O drivers, including Filip Roms and Kalle Viippo, have benefited from the pathway Seliö helped create.
His message about success being “what you leave behind” reflects years spent building the sport’s future whilst competing at its highest level. Through mentoring younger drivers and establishing youth racing programmes, Seliö’s legacy extends beyond his two world championships.
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.
