SHARJAH: The Qatar Team’s Alex Carella led from start-to-finish to seal a third successive UIM F1 H2O World Championship title with a stunning victory in Friday’s Grand Prix of Sharjah on Khalid Lagoon.

Despite initial pressure from teammate Shaun Torrente and then from race runner-up Phillipe Chiappe, Carella held his nerve to reach the checkered flag 1.98 seconds in front of the Frenchman. Torrente finished third and confirmed second position in the world championship.

There were no Friday the 13th gremlins on this occasion and Carella duly entered the history books with his third world title success. Italian racing legend Guido Cappellini was the last man to win three successive world titles between 2001 and 2003.

Finland’s Sami Selio lost his slim chance of taking a third world title with technical problems on the 22nd lap and this left the door open for Team Abu Dhabi’s Ahmed Al-Hameli to finish fourth, with fellow Emirati Thani Al-Qamzi and Italian Francesco Cantando rounding off the top six.

“This was a superb performance by the entire team. I am so happy right now,” said Khalid bin Arhama Al-Kuwari, head of formula racing at the Qatar Marine Sports Federation (QMSF), which runs under the presidency of His Excellency Sheikh Hassan bin Jabor Al-Thani.

“Congratulations to Alex on his superb drive and also to Shaun, who pushed him all the way. It was another tremendous season for everyone at the QMSF and I would like to thank Sheikh Hassan for his support and all our team for their hard work. We have now won the last three world titles. This is a superb achievement for everyone connected with the Qatar Team.”

Khalid Abdullah Al-Kuwari and Mohammed Al-Obaidly qualified sixth and eighth for the final UIM F-4S race of the season for the Eurofin Trophy and reached the chequered flag for the 25-lap race in fourth and sixth places.

Latvia’s Nikita Lijcs led from pole position and on through a yellow flag situation to beat the new F-4S champion Mike Szymura by 6.31 seconds. Italian youngster Aberto Comparato finished third.