Sharjah Opens Thrilling New Season with 2025 World Championship Week

Sharjah is set to ignite excitement on the water as it hosts the much-anticipated Sharjah World Championship Week, culminating in the final round of the UIM F1H2O World Championship – the Grand Prix of Sharjah. Held under the patronage of Shaikh Sultan bin Mohammed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Crown Prince, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah, and Chairman of the Sharjah Executive Council, the event marks the 24th edition of one of the world’s most prestigious powerboat races.

Organised by the Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA), the championship will take place from December 19 to 21, determining the 2025 world champions in both driver and team categories. The official race details will be unveiled at a press conference on Friday, December 19, at Hotel Holiday International, attended by Khalid Jasim Al Midfa, Chairman of SCTDA, Nicolo Di San Germano, UIM F1H2O promoter, and leading drivers from UAE teams.

The final showdown will unfold at Khalid Lagoon, where elite drivers from around the globe will compete for podium finishes in what is considered the crown jewel of international powerboat racing. The event draws world champions and motorsport enthusiasts alike, reinforcing Sharjah’s status as a global hub for marine sports.

UAE Teams in the Championship

The UAE features strongly in this year’s competition with three powerhouse teams:

• Victory Team (Dubai International Marine Club – DIMC), currently ranked first, represented by Ahmed Al Fahim, Alec Weckstrom, and championship leader Shaun Torrente.

• Sharjah Team (Sharjah International Marine Sports Club – SIMSC), ranked second, featuring Rusty Wyatt, Stefan Arand, and Filip Roms.

• Abu Dhabi Team (Abu Dhabi Marine Sports Club – ADMSC), ranked fifth, including Rashid Al Qamzi, Mansoor Al Mansoori, and Erik Stark.

Full Schedule – Grand Prix of Sharjah

Thursday, December 18, 2025

• Environmental Initiative: Tree Plantation Campaign to Reduce Carbon Emissions

Friday, December 19, 2025

• 09:00–10:00: Team registration

• 09:00–11:00: Press conference

• 09:00–13:00: Technical scrutineering

• 14:00–16:00: Free Practice 1

Saturday, December 20, 2025

• 08:30–09:00: Drivers briefing

• 09:30–10:30: Qualifications

• 15:05–15:20: Sprint Race 1

• 15:45–16:00: Sprint Race 2

• 16:00: Sprint race prize-giving

Sunday, December 21, 2025

• 10:00–11:00: Warm-up

• 14:50: Parade lap

• 15:05–15:50: Grand Prix of Sharjah

• 15:50: Final prize-giving ceremony

Track Details – Khalid Lagoon Circuit

• Lap length: 2,057 metres

• Turns: 5 (four red buoys, one yellow buoy)

• Max boats: 22

• Longest straight: 585 metres

• Shortest straight: 260 metres

The previous edition saw Jonas Andersson of Team Vietnam claim victory, followed by Erik Stark of Victory Team and Rusty Wyatt of Sharjah Team. This year promises even fiercer competition as the season reaches its dramatic conclusion.

From roaring engines and razor-sharp turns to nail-biting finishes, the F1H2O World Championship delivers world-class adrenaline and spectacle making Sharjah World Championship Week 2025 a must-watch event for motorsport fans worldwide.