Team Abu Dhabi will race three boats in the 2026 UIM F1H2O World Championship, the team confirmed today. Jonas Andersson, Erik Stark and Rashed Al Qemzi form the line-up, with Mansoor Al Mansoori retained as reserve driver.
Andersson: a fourth title in sight
Jonas Andersson agreed a three-year deal with Team Abu Dhabi in January, ending his long association with Team Sweden. The Swede is a three-time world champion, having won in 2021, 2023 and 2024. He finished runner-up in the 2025 championship, losing out to Shaun Torrente in the final round.
Stark: time to deliver
Erik Stark joined Team Abu Dhabi from Victory Team for the 2025 season but did not hit the ground running, finishing eighth in the Drivers’ World Championship. The Swede was championship runner-up in 2018 and 2023, and won the UIM F2 World Championship four times between 2011 and 2014 before stepping up to F1H2O. He goes into 2026 alongside the man who beat him to the 2023 F1H2O title.
Al Qemzi: back after a season away
Rashed Al Qemzi returns to F1H2O after missing the 2025 season. The Abu Dhabi native is a five-time UIM F2 World Champion, having won in 2017, 2019, 2021, 2023 and 2024. Mansoor Al Mansoori, previously confirmed as retained, steps into a reserve role.
The 2026 grid: confirmations so far
Seven teams are now confirmed for the 2026 UIM F1H2O World Championship, which opens at Cagliari, Italy on May 29-31.
| Team | Country | Drivers | Numbers | Engine | Hull |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Victory Team | 🇦🇪 U.A.E. | Shaun Torrente 🇺🇸 Alec Weckstrom 🇫🇮 Ahmed Al Fahim 🇦🇪 (reserve) |
1 2 – |
Mercury 2-stroke Mercury 2-stroke Mercury 2-stroke |
DAC DAC DAC |
| Team Abu Dhabi | 🇦🇪 U.A.E. | Jonas Andersson 🇸🇪 Erik Stark 🇸🇪 Rashed Al Qemzi 🇦🇪 Mansoor Al Mansoori 🇦🇪 (reserve) |
5 6 35 – |
Mercury 2-stroke Mercury 2-stroke Mercury 2-stroke – |
DAC DAC DAC DAC |
| Sharjah Team | 🇦🇪 U.A.E. | Rusty Wyatt 🇨🇦 Stefan Arand 🇪🇪 Grant Trask 🇦🇺 Filip Roms 🇫🇮 (reserve) |
17 18 TBC 55 |
Mercury 2-stroke Mercury 2-stroke Mercury 2-stroke Mercury 2-stroke |
Sharjah Sharjah DAC – |
| China CTIC Team | 🇨🇳 China | Peter Morin 🇫🇷 Brent Dillard 🇺🇸 |
7 8 |
Mercury 2-stroke Mercury 2-stroke |
Moore Moore |
| Strømøy Racing | 🇳🇴 Norway | Marit Strømøy 🇳🇴 Bartek Marszalek 🇵🇱 |
50 77 |
Mercury 360 APX 4-stroke V8 Mercury 2-stroke |
DAC DAC |
| Maverick Racing | 🇫🇷 France | Cédric Deguisne 🇫🇷 Alexandre Bourgeot 🇫🇷 Beranger Robart 🇫🇷 (reserve) |
73 74 – |
Mercury 360 APX 4-stroke V8 Mercury 2-stroke Mercury 2-stroke |
Moore Moore Moore |
| Atlantic Team | 🇵🇹 Portugal | Duarte Benavente 🇵🇹 Ben Jelf 🇬🇧 |
10 9 |
Mercury 2-stroke Mercury 2-stroke |
Moore DAC |
Related: Victory Team Confirm Torrente and Weckstrom for 2026 | Andersson Joins Team Abu Dhabi | Trask Joins Sharjah Team | Atlantic Team Confirms Benavente and Jelf
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.
