The UIM Hydro GP World Championship is the premier international competition for hydroplane racing, governed by the Union Internationale Motonautique. Three displacement classes compete — F-125, F-250, and F-500, denoting the engine capacity in cubic centimetres — across a European season at venues in the Czech Republic, Poland, Italy and Bulgaria. Hydroplanes are propeller-driven single-pilot boats that run with the hull lifted almost entirely clear of the water, supported by two sponsons and the propeller.
The class is distinct from the closed-cockpit tunnel-hull boats used in F1H2O and F2. Hydro GP pilots sit in an open or semi-open cockpit and control lightweight, highly manoeuvrable craft that are optimised for agility and acceleration on short circuits rather than outright top speed.
The Classes
F-125 is the entry class, running engines up to 125cc. Andrea Ongari (Italy) leads the 2026 championship after three rounds on 52 points, one ahead of Gabriele Rossi on 50 and two ahead of Luca Finotti on 42. The title will be decided at Round 4 in Chodziez, Poland on June 27-28.
F-250 runs engines up to 250cc. Massimiliano Cremona (Italy) leads the 2026 championship after three rounds with a maximum 60 points — 20 from each of the first three rounds. His brother Alessandro Cremona (USA) is second on 47 points. One round remains, at Chodziez on June 27-28.
F-500 is the top class, running engines up to 500cc and producing the fastest boats in the championship. After three rounds, Attila Havas (Hungary) and Marcin Zielinski (Poland) are tied on 47 championship points, with Erko Aabrams (Estonia) one point behind on 46. Two rounds remain: Chodziez on June 27-28 and the season finale at Ruse, Bulgaria on August 22-23.
How Racing Works
Hydro GP events follow a multi-heat format. Drivers complete several heats across the event weekend, with race points accumulated from each heat counting towards the round total. Championship points are awarded to the top finishers in each round’s general classification on a 20-17-15-13-11-10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1 scale. The championship is decided on accumulated points across all rounds of the season.
2026 Championship Standings
Full standings for all three classes: 2026 UIM Hydro GP World Championship standings.
2026 Calendar
| Round | Dates | Venue | Classes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 15-17 May | Jedovnice, Czech Republic | F-125, F-250, F-500 |
| 2 | 29-31 May | Znin, Poland | F-125, F-250, F-500 |
| 3 | 12-14 Jun | Boretto, Italy | F-125, F-250, F-500 |
| 4 | 27-28 Jun | Chodziez, Poland | F-125, F-250, F-500 |
| 5 | 22-23 Aug | Ruse, Bulgaria | F-500 only |
Follow the 2026 Hydro GP Season
All Hydro GP Coverage
Race reports, results, and championship analysis throughout 2026.
Hydro GP on Powerboat NewsFrequently Asked Questions
What is the UIM Hydro GP World Championship?
The UIM Hydro GP World Championship is the premier international competition for hydroplane racing, governed by the Union Internationale Motonautique. Three displacement classes compete — F-125, F-250, and F-500 — across a European season of four or five rounds depending on class.
What is a hydroplane?
A hydroplane is a propeller-driven racing boat that runs with the hull lifted almost entirely clear of the water, supported on two sponsons and the propeller. Hydro GP boats are single-pilot craft optimised for agility on short circuits.
How does Hydro GP differ from F1H2O?
Hydro GP boats are smaller displacement propeller-driven craft with open or semi-open cockpits, while F1H2O boats are large closed-cockpit tunnel-hull catamarans. The two championships operate under different technical regulations and race at separate events.
What do F-125, F-250 and F-500 mean?
The numbers denote maximum engine capacity in cubic centimetres. F-125 runs engines up to 125cc, F-250 up to 250cc, and F-500 up to 500cc. Each class has its own championship standings and points table.
Where are Hydro GP races held?
The 2026 season runs in Europe, with rounds in the Czech Republic, Poland, Italy and Bulgaria.
Who leads the 2026 Hydro GP World Championship?
After three rounds: F-125 — Andrea Ongari (Italy) 52 points; F-250 — Massimiliano Cremona (Italy) 60 points; F-500 — Attila Havas (Hungary) and Marcin Zielinski (Poland) tied on 47 points, with Erko Aabrams (Estonia) one point behind on 46.
When is the next Hydro GP round?
Round 4 for all three classes takes place at Chodziez, Poland on June 27-28, 2026. The F-500 season finale is at Ruse, Bulgaria on August 22-23, 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.
