The UIM F2 World Championship is the second tier of international circuit powerboat racing, governed by the Union Internationale Motonautique. Single-pilot tunnel-hull catamaran boats race on rivers, lakes, and sheltered bays, reaching speeds in excess of 200 km/h. F2 is the primary development path to the top-level UIM F1H2O World Championship, with several current F1H2O drivers having come through the class.
The championship has historically been a Scandinavian stronghold. In 2025, Mathilda Wiberg became the first Swedish driver and first woman ever to win the F2 World Championship, a result that drew significant attention beyond the core powerboat racing audience. Wiberg returns in 2026 as the defending champion, racing for Wiberg Racing.
The Boats
F2 boats are single-pilot closed-cockpit tunnel-hull catamarans, smaller and less powerful than the F1H2O machinery but using a comparable design philosophy. The tunnel hull traps an air cushion beneath the boat, reducing water contact at speed. At racing pace, the hull rides on the tips of the two sponsons and the propeller, with most of the structure clear of the water surface.
Both F2 and F1H2O boats share the same closed-cockpit safety cell design, with the pilot enclosed in a protective capsule rated to withstand capsize and high-speed impact.
How Racing Works
UIM F2 events follow the same three-day format as F1H2O. Practice and qualifying take place on the opening days, with the Grand Prix final on the Sunday. Points are awarded to the top finishers, with the accumulated total across all rounds deciding the world champion.
F2 rounds often run concurrently with UIM F4, with both classes on the water at the same event.
The 2026 Championship
Sixteen drivers from nine countries are entered for the 2026 season. Mathilda Wiberg (Sweden, Wiberg Racing, #1) defends alongside her brother Hilmar Wiberg (#70). Peter Morin (#11, Team RPM) competes in both F2 and F1H2O in 2026, as does Duarte Benavente (#45, Atlantic Team).
The season opens at Klaipeda, Lithuania on June 5-7. Full 2026 UIM F2 standings, updated after every round, are here.
2026 Teams and Drivers
| # | Driver | Country | Team |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mathilda Wiberg | Sweden | Wiberg Racing |
| 2 | Johan Österberg | Sweden | – |
| 4 | Jarno Vilmunen | Finland | – |
| 5 | Dainis Podzuks | Latvia | – |
| 9 | Mette Bjerknes | Great Britain | JRM Racing |
| 11 | Peter Morin | France | Team RPM |
| 14 | Ian Blacker | Great Britain | Kingfisher Fire Security Racing |
| 27 | Andre Solvang | Norway | Sharjah Team |
| 33 | Nelson Morin | France | – |
| 41 | Edgaras Riabko | Lithuania | – |
| 45 | Duarte Benavente | Portugal | Atlantic Team |
| 51 | Nils Slakteris | Latvia | – |
| 70 | Hilmer Wiberg | Sweden | Wiberg Racing |
| 74 | Giacomo Sacchi | Monaco | – |
| 77 | Tobias Munthe-Kaas | Norway | – |
| 96 | Roope Virtanen | Finland | – |
2026 Calendar
Follow the 2026 UIM F2 Season
All UIM F2 Coverage
Race reports, results, and championship analysis throughout 2026.
UIM F2 on Powerboat NewsFrequently Asked Questions
What is the UIM F2 World Championship?
The UIM F2 World Championship is the second tier of international circuit powerboat racing, governed by the Union Internationale Motonautique. It uses single-pilot tunnel-hull catamaran boats and is the primary development route to the top-level F1H2O World Championship.
How fast do F2 powerboats go?
UIM F2 boats reach speeds in excess of 200 km/h. They use the same closed-cockpit tunnel-hull design as F1H2O boats, with the hull lifting clear of the water at racing speed.
Who is the current F2 World Champion?
Mathilda Wiberg (Sweden, Wiberg Racing) won the 2025 UIM F2 World Championship, becoming the first Swedish driver and first woman to win the title. She defends in 2026 as the number 1 driver.
How does F2 lead to F1H2O?
F2 is the recognised development path to the top-level F1H2O World Championship. Several current F1H2O drivers competed in F2, and the technical and physical similarities between the two classes make the step a natural progression for competitive drivers.
When does the 2026 F2 season start?
The 2026 UIM F2 World Championship season opens at Klaipeda, Lithuania on June 5-7, 2026.
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.
