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 four-round season at venues across Europe. 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. Italian drivers dominated the 2026 opener at Jedovnice, with Gabriele Rossi leading the standings after Round 1 on 1200 points, well clear of compatriot Luca Finotti.
F-250 runs engines up to 250cc. Massimiliano Cremona (Italy) leads after Round 1 at Jedovnice with a maximum 1200 points, ahead of Nikola Todorov (Bulgaria) on 900.
F-500 is the top class, running engines up to 500cc and producing the fastest boats in the championship. Round 1 results for F-500 are on the standings page.
How Racing Works
Hydro GP events follow a multi-heat format. Drivers complete several heats across the event weekend, with points accumulated from each heat counting towards the round total. The championship is decided on accumulated points across all four rounds of the season.
Full 2026 UIM Hydro GP standings across all three classes, updated after every round, are here.
The 2026 Season
Four rounds are scheduled in 2026. Round 1 at Jedovnice, Czech Republic was held in May. Round 2 at Znin, Poland takes place May 29-31 – this weekend. Rounds 3 and 4 follow at Boretto (Italy) in June and Chodziez (Poland) in late June.
2026 Calendar
| Round | Dates | Venue | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 15–17 May | Round 1 | Jedovnice, Czech Republic |
| 2 | 29–31 May | Round 2 | Znin, Poland |
| 3 | 12–14 Jun | Round 3 | Boretto, Italy |
| 4 | 27–28 Jun | Round 4 | Chodziez, Poland |
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 four-round European season.
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 entirely in Europe, with rounds in the Czech Republic, Poland, and Italy.
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.
