
By winning an electrifying Road to Sharjah Grand Prix, Jonas Andersson of Team Vietnam secured his third UIM F1H2O World Championship Title in breathtaking style. Starting from pole position, the Swedish powerboating ace stayed in the lead throughout a race full of yellow flags to cross the finish line for his 16th career Grand Prix win, the fourth in five years in Sharjah. This was a truly crowning moment also for Team Vietnam, who claimed the Teams’ Championship.
After his triumph, a beaming Andersson reflected on his special connection to Sharjah. “This is the best place to race in the world. It was here that I earned my first podium back in 2006. The atmosphere, the crowd, and the people are amazing. We brought a new boat this season, and while it’s not perfect everywhere, it was flawless here,” he said.
The championship, however, was anything but a walk in the park for Andersson. His fiercest rival, Rusty Wyatt of the Sharjah Team, kept the tension high throughout the race. Wyatt’s daring strategy saw him soar through the field, gaining six places on the opening lap and briefly overtaking Erik Stark for a second before being forced back. Despite finishing third, Wyatt’s grit and determination were on full display. “We fought hard. I made it to second for a moment but ended up third. It’s unfinished business,” Wyatt vowed.
Erik Stark of Victory Team also put up a strong fight, holding off Wyatt to secure second place in the race and third in the overall championship. “With Rusty on my tail, it was a tough battle. He overtook me once, but I managed to take it back. Ending the season this way with the Victory Team is a fantastic result,” Stark shared.

The action-packed race drew praise from UIM President Dr. Raffaele Chiulli, who was present to witness the thrilling spectacle. All congratulations went to Khalid Al Midfa, UIM Board Member, and the Sharjah Marine Sports Club for their impeccable organization, noting that Sharjah continues to set the gold standard for hosting F1H2O events. “Every year, this event gets better and better. It’s a true showcase of world-class sport and hospitality,” he remarked.
Adding to the excitement, the F1H2O Promoter pulled out all the stops this year. From high quality hospitality to engaging fan activities, they created an unforgettable experience that left both spectators and participants in awe. The vibrant energy of the event proved why Sharjah remains a favorite stop on the F1H2O calendar.

From left: Khalid Al Midfa, UIM Board Member; His Highness Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi, Deputy Ruler of the Emirate of Sharjah, Deputy Chairman of The Executive Council, Chairman of the Sharjah Media Council; Raffaele Chiulli, UIM President
Elsewhere in the race, drama unfolded as Bartek Marszalek of Strømøy Racing retired from a promising fourth-place position, and Brent Dillard of the China CTIC Team received a penalty for hitting a turn buoy, dropping him from fourth to eighth. Thani Al-Qamzi of Team Abu Dhabi managed a respectable fourth-place finish, while Sami Seliö debuted the new Sharjah Marine-designed boat with an impressive sixth-place result for Red Devil SMC F1 Team.
The Grand Prix of Sharjah crowned an unforgettable season of tight battles and breathtaking performances, and the F1 Powerboating fans and community can feed their anticipation for returning to Khalid Lagoon in 2025