Team Abu Dhabi 1-2 in Grand Prix of China

Team Abu Dhabi enjoyed a sensational Grand Prix of China on the Liu River in Liuzhou on Sunday. Thani Al Qamzi and Ahmed Al Hameli finished first and second overall in a dramatic race that they completely dominated.

According to Abu Dhabi International Marine Sports Club (ADIMSC), Al Hameli led from the green flag and always looked comfortable at the front of the field of 18 boats, but he slowed enough to allow his team mate through within sight of the finish and Al Qamzi duly claimed his first Grand Prix win from the last 27 starts to move right into contention for the 2011 UIM F1 H20 World Championship with two races remaining in Sharjah and Abu Dhabi.

"Everything went right from the start and we had the perfect strategy," said a delighted Al Qamzi, who now trails the championship-leading Qatar driver Jay Price by 12 points.

Team Abu Dhabi runs under the auspices of the ADIMSC and team manager Scott Gillman. Team Abu Dhabi has full support from the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA), which runs under the chairmanship of Sheikh Sultan bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan and the patronage of Dr Sheikh Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan.

Al Hameli and Al Qamzi started from first and third on the grid once Alex Carella had suffered an engine problem in practice and been pushed down to the rear of the field and promoted Al Qamzi from fourth. A good start to the 36-lap race was imperative.

Al Hameli shadowed Jonas Andersson into the opening turn buoy, but the Swede had jump-started the green flag. Within seconds Phillipe Tourre and Valerio Lagiannella were involved in a violent collision and a yellow flag was raised while the damaged boats were removed from the course.

Action resumed on lap four and both Al Hameli and Al Qamzi made an excellent start and held first and second positions, with Price, Phillipe Chiappe and Sami Selio close behind. Al Hameli extended his lead over Al Qamzi to 3.25s through nine laps and the margin remained constant for the next 10 laps, with Al Hameli reaching the 20th tour with a lead of 2.89s.

An accident involving Sami Selio forced a second yellow flag incident on lap 29 of 36. The Team Abu Dhabi duo maintained their advantage after the restart with four laps remaining, with Al Qamzi moving in front of Al Hameli with one lap to run. The duo reached the chequered flag in first and second positions and the double victory was made even sweeter with the news that arch-rival Jay Price had missed a turn buoy and been disqualified from fifth position.