Emirates Team Lead Driver Wins 3rd World Title!!
Lausanne, Switzerland: January 6, 2005 – The reincarnation of American driver Scott Gillman continues to be the story of the decade in the sport of power boat racing as the Emirates Team number one driver powered away with 6 victories in 9 official starts to take home his 3rd World Title and capture the U.I.M. F1 World Championship crown in 2004.
The native of Los Angeles started the season like he ended the 2003 campaign, failing to finish a Grand Prix race, at the opening round at the Grand Prix of India. But after this disappointment, it was all good and became the start of a brilliant performance as Gillman came storming back with 3 straight victories and 5 wins in the next 6 starts to put his stamp on his 3rd title at seasons end.
The winning streak is amazing since he has now won every race he has finished, except for two, when he finished 3rd at the Grand Prix’s of Como and Malaysia in the last year and one-half. Since the 5th of October of 2003 at the Grand Prix of Malaysia the Californian has raced in 13 events, won 9 of these and failed to finish in two. Only a little bad luck separated him from winning the race at the final round a year ago in Abu Dhabi when his engine failed him or he would have added to his world titles of 1997, 2000 and 2004.
Gillman’s 144 points are his most ever in one season as are his 6 victories. He now has 20 wins for his U.I.M. F1 career since coming to the series at the start of the 1997 campaign after winning the North American title three times in the 1990’s. He also took the Pole Position Championship with 128 points and 3 starts from the number one position off the pontoon all season. He completed the “hat trick” of titles with his team taking the “Team Championship” trophy with 178 points.
While Gillman was basking in the glory of his newly crowned title Italian Francesco Cantando had to be scratching his head wondering what it takes to reach the top wrung of the ladder after finishing runner-up in the championship with 95 points for the 3rd time in his career. The “what if’s” were part of his vocabulary many times this season doing what he needed to win, only to have misfortunate circumstances ruining his chances for glory.
The native of Milan came storming out of the gate with an opening victory at the Grand Prix of India to lead the points chase for the next three months. His misery started when he came within seconds of beating Gillman in Saudi Arabia and Portugal and dominating from the pole at the Grand Prix of the Mediterranean in Sardinia only to lose the lead and the podium with just 3 laps to go in the event. At the half way point of the campaign, he and Gillman were virtually level in the points chase but despite three more 2nd place finishes he ended up having two DNF’s in the last three events the end the season again looking up to the title holder. The most dramatic incident came when he got caught up with rookie Ivan Brigada on the opening lap of the Grand Prix of Singapore taking out his boat and later being disqualified for running his teammates craft after the restart. This all but took away his advantage in the championship and gave Gillman the green light to walk away with the title.
Francesco had a great afternoon at the Grand Prix of Korea when the idea of “match racing” came for the first time in the history of the sport in Seoul. He was the quickest that day and destroyed the competition taking the final win only to have the U.I.M. a month later declare the event illegal for official points. Cantando can take solace that his “blaze” boat was quickest on the race circuit on almost all the races during the season and he will be ready to improve on his 10 career race win total in the 2005 campaign for the Singha F1 Race Team.
Italian Fabio Comparato finally got the monkey off his back with his first victory on the tour in his 50th start at the Grand Prix of Malaysia dominating on the glassy still surface in Putrajaya. His 3rd place in the title run was his best in his 7 year career and it being the fourth time he’s finished in the top 5 in the championship.
The Nautica Comparato Team driver had 3 podium finishes with a 3rd in Portugal along with two straight in the final two events with a win in Malaysia and a 2nd at the Grand Prix of Sharjah. The final podium moved him into the top 3 in the title run for the first time in his career.
His misfortunes in his chase for the number one spot began at the opening race in India with a DNF just 3 laps into the event. Next at Sardinia the boat began sinking at the start pontoon saw him survive just 6 laps. Then at the Grand Prix of Singapore after qualifying 3rd he dropped out early and finished 20th. Overall however, his pole sitting and winning performance hi-lighted his career so far and is hoping to take that momentum into next season for a title run.
Finishing the lowest in the championship in the last 12 years was a disappointed Guido Cappellini who had his 3 year championship streak stopped by Scott Gillman and finishing 4th with 68 points. The 8-time title holder and lead driver for the Tamoil Team is in a serious slump that has now stretched almost two years and has just 1 win in his last 15 starts. His 3 podium finishes were the lowest in any season since 1992 when he had just 2 trips to the “box”.
It wasn’t all bad for the native of Como, Italy as Cappellini came up with a virtuoso performance at his home Grand Prix on Lake Como in late June. Guido, looking like the racer of old dominated from the pole and went on to win with ease. His leading performance in Malaysia disappeared in a spectacular way when he and Bob Trask of Australia got together ending his day in grand fashion and eliminating him for getting his 4th straight title.
Cappellini finished 2nd in the “Pole Position” championship starting at the front in 3 separate events. In the races his 3 mechanical DNF’s spelled doom for any chance to come to the top of the table which he never led. His 46 wins and 80 podiums lead the all-time list. He hopes his race leading performance at the Grand Prix of Sharjah will spell better things for 2005.
Sami Selio finished 5th in the championship with64 points on the strength of 4 podium and 5 top 5 finishes. The native of Finland had his greatest day in Sardinia where he finished just behind Gillman on the most challenging of all courses. His crash at the 3rd round of the championship at the Grand Prix of Portugal curbed his momentum to challenge for the top spot in the table.
His start of the season was his best ever with 3 top 4 performance in the first 4 starts. His pair of 9th’s at the midway point of the season at the Grand Prix’s of Como and China showed he had lost his way until finishing up with a flourish with a pair of 3rd’s in the final 2 races. The one time rookie of the year is still looking for his first win but with his determination to details and race talents could make the upcoming season a turning point for picking up his first victory.
The French driver Philippe Dessertenne for the 2nd straight season finished 6th in the championship with 59 points with 5 top-5 finishes and only 1 DNF for the season. The La Rochelle native had his best day of the year for the Ligier Sports Team taking his only podium with a great ride to 2nd place at the Grand Prix of Singapore.
Dessertenne’s best qualifying came at the opening round at the Grand Prix of India where he started 5th and finished at the same spot. His determination showed throughout the season as he qualified in the mid pack most of the year. Two great examples were his 4th place finish after starting 13th in Sardinia and an 8th in China after starting 17th. Despite not picking up a win in 2004, a new boat at season’s end seemed to give this likeable driver new confidence that should carry over to 2005.
Thani Al Qamzi helped give the Emirates Team the championship with a solid season taking 7th overall and capturing 34 points. Thani proved to be a stronger qualifier with 3 trips to the top-6 shootout during the year. He and his teammate Gillman were 1-2 at one point during the Grand Prix of Singapore before mechanical gremlins ended his day.
The native of Abu Dhabi and one time Personal Watercraft champion, ended the season in a flurry with a 4th place finish in Malaysia and a 7th in Sharjah after starting 4th at the Grand Prix of Sharjah. Thani hopes that next season will be his opportunity to capture his first victory on the tour.
Veteran driver Massimo Roggiero completed his 10th season in 8th place in the championship with 29 points. His hi-light of the season came when he captured the pole position at the Grand Prix of Portugal. He had two top-5 finishes at the Grand Prix’s of China and Sharjah. His progress was slowed with 4 DNF’s during the season.
Roggiero started the season in an F2 boat that didn’t suit his style of driving. Once changed, it seemed to give him more confidence. The Team Green driver, who hasn’t won a race in the last two seasons, thought he had a chance in Portugal but he went out early. The likeable driver from northern suburbs of Milan will be back on the attack for his 11th season.
Roggiero’s teammate in Team Green was Laith Pharaon who was hoping consistency would bring him to his first title. He came off a strong performance at the last race of 2003 by winning at the Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi and carried this over with a podium finish with a 3rd at the opening round in India. His 27 points came from two other top 5 performances at the Grand Prix’s of Portugal and Como.
The Saudi Arabian native who now makes his home in Miami and Buenos Aires ran into road blocks throughout the year starting with a quick exit in Saudi Arabia followed a few months later in Sardinia. His biggest incident came when he crashed in spectacular fashion stuffing the boat on the back straightaway on a re-start at the Grand Prix of China. His injuries were severe enough that Laith missed the next two races before returning in Sharjah.
Duarte Benavente of Portugal was 10th in the championship totaling 25 points in his 6th full season in F1. The likeable driver from Lisbon struggled the last half of the season after getting into the top 10 points positions in 3 of the first 4 events. His season was hampered with 3 DNF’s, one race accident at the Grand Prix of Singapore and one non start in Malaysia with engine problems.
Duarte is one of the drivers who has come close to winning but still hasn’t found the right time to do so. He was a steady qualifier and made the top-6 shootout 4 times during the season with his best performance being a 4th at his home Grand Prix before taking 6th. His best performance of the season was a fine 3rd and a podium finish at the Grand Prix of the Mediterranean.
Australia’s David Trask took home Rookie of the Year honors with an 11th place finish in the standings in his first full campaign. Running most of the season with an Italian DAC hull which he felt comfortable in, his best day was a 5th at the Grand Prix of Singapore after qualifying 15th.
The native of the “Gold Coast” near Brisbane was Sea Quest Racing’s leading point getter finishing with 16 while Brother Bob Trask was 19th in the championship with 2 points in a boat he helped design himself and one that is only getting better with age.
Both David and Bob gathered points the first time the two raced side by side together in F1 at the Grand Prix of India as Bob took 9th and David 10th. David took points in his last 3 starts of the season with a 5th in Singapore an 8th in Malaysia and another 8th in Sharjah. Bob wasn’t so lucky with 6 DNF’s including the last 5 races. His most spectacular moment came when he and Guido Cappellini got together on the straightaway at the Grand Prix of Malaysia. A team with a serious crew of professionals expects the “OZ” team it to only improve for next season.
Past World Champion Fabrizio Bocca of the Corona Extra Team finished 12th in the championship with 15 points in his 15th of F1 racing season. The steady driver from Casalle lost a chance to finish in the top 10 when he failed to finish in 5 races including a spectacular fiery moment at the Grand Prix of Singapore.
Bocca’s best qualifying effort was a 10th at the final round in Sharjah and his best finish came with a fine 5th in Malaysia. Three of the four finishes were in the top 10 points positions and the 1992 title holder will be back and ready to crack the top 5 once again in 2005.
The elder statesman of the sport Great Britain’s Andy Elliott came home in 13th place in the championship with 14 points at seasons end. The one time runner-up in the championship switched boat hulls in the last third of the season and showed new confidence with his “dragon” design on the water. He had 3 top ten finishes with his best being a great run to 4th after starting 11th at the Grand Prix of Singapore.
Elliott’s best qualifying effort was a 7th in Portugal, but with 4 DNF’s including the last two races in the season, more is expected of the talented driver from England next season with a new hull and along with new enthusiasm.
Last years rookie of the year, Julius Leysen struggled thru a slump gaining only 9 points in the 8 races he attended during the year. The native of Belgium had a pair of 10th place qualifying efforts at Portugal and Como but his 4 DNF’s for mechanical problems and his crash in China slowed his progress. His best finish was a pair of top 10 finishes with a 6th in Singapore after charging up from 17th and a 7th at Malaysia after starting 16th. The respectable driver from Belgium is expected back in 2005.
Danish driver Gert Ladefoged missed half the season but still managed to pick up points in all 3 races he finished. The Danita Racing team driver qualified best at the Grand Prix of China his last event of the season with a career best 2nd out qualifying everyone but world champ Scott Gillman. His best finish of the season came at a pair of Grand Prix’s when he finished 8th at both Portugal and Como.
Frenchman Philippe Chiappe had his best season ever with a 16th place finish in the title with 6 total points. The native of Rouen who had gone over a season without points made it look easy by picking up points in his last three events of the season. The Ligier Sports Team number two driver had his best result with an 8th in Singapore after starting 19th. His other point’s events came with a 10th at Malaysia and a 9th in Sharjah. Getting more familiar with the boat and the race sites has made him stronger and should do even better in the upcoming campaign.
Tied for 17th is Massimiliano “Max” Moreschi with 5 points on the strength of two top 10 performances. His best qualifying effort for the Singha F1 Team was an 11th in China. His best finishing effort was a 7th in China and a 10th in Portugal. In his 2nd full year, the youngest driver on the tour continues to improve and now has 20 races under his belt and could be a future champion.
Joining Moreschi in 17th place is Great Britain’s own Jamey Stallard who joined the season at the halfway mark after coming off fresh from a Formula 3 title. The 2nd driver of the Corona Extra Team didn’t wait long to gather championship points by picking up a 7th in his 2nd event at the Grand Prix of Singapore. He finished the year with a point in Sharjah taking 10th after qualifying 20th. Coming from a racing family, Jamey is looking to come back for his first full season.
Marcello Menegatto of Monaco joined Cappellini in the Tamoil Racing Team for most of the season racing 6 times and picking up 2 points to finish tied for 19th in the championship. The one time endurance champion entered his rookie season by getting a 9th place finish his 3rd race. Learning from an 8-time World Champion, Marcello’s most memorable performance came in Sardinia when he qualified 8th and moved himself up to 5th before dropping out on the 37th lap. Marcello had 3 straight DNF’s to end his season and hopes to be back in 2005.
Marco Gambi of Italy and one-half of the Atlantic Team with Benavente had a full season with 5 non finishes hampering him from picking up more than his 2 points. His one point paying race was a 9th at the Grand Prix of Malaysia after starting a career best 11th on the grid. He hopes to start off next season on a positive note and not finishing like he did with 4 non-finishes in his last 5 races.
A driver who made more of an immediate impression than any newcomer in 2004 was Norwegian pilot Rolf Sunde who was just short of spectacular. Joining the tour in the final three races Rolf qualified in the top 10 all three times including twice in the top-6. His best was a 5th in Malaysia followed by a 6th in Sharjah. Two non finishes in the last two events kept him from picking up more points while running up in the top-5 in both events. Look for the driver to come back and be podium challenger next season.
French 2nd generation driver Cedric DeGuisne came into the season with hopes of winning the rookie of the year award but with only 3 finishes his dreams fell away. His best qualifying effort for the man from Macon was a 14th at his first race in India. His best finish was a 10th for 1 point on the season in Sardinia. A spectacular fire to his boat at the Grand Prix of Singapore kept him out of two races late in the year. He hopes to return next season.
Swedish driver Pierre Lundin started the season with the Corona Extra Team with Bocca but only got to start the first 3 races and failed to finish in two of those. Pierre’s 13th at Portugal was his best qualifying effort while his 16th in Saudi Arabia was his best and only finish of the season for no points.
Italian rookie driver Ivan Brigada a young F2 driver with a lot of promise joined fellow Italian Cappellini in the Tamoil Team for 3 races starting in Singapore. He qualified a spectacular 4th on Marina Bay only to crash heavily on the second corner of the opening lap to end his day. He didn’t start in Malaysia because of his injuries in Singapore and dropped out immediately in Sharjah after spending just a few laps trying to qualify at the final event of the season.
Two time series runner-up Pertti Leppala of Finland joined the Danita Racing Team for the first two events of the season and showed why he has two career victories to his resume. The native of Helsinki qualified 10th at the opening round at India and 9th at the Grand Prix of Saudi Arabia failing to finish in each event. It was a spectacular comeback for the veteran driver who crashed out in one and got caught up with an engine fire in the other event. If he made a serious effort to come back he would be a runner again for the title.
Italian Rinaldo Marcandalli raced in the first two events of the season before retiring because of medical problems. He qualified a respectable 9th at the opening race in India and failed to finish in both races after qualifying 23rd at the Grand Prix of Saudi Arabia.
Simon Saw of Malaysia did a one race stint at his home grand prix in the Team AmBank Malaysia effort with England’s Andy Elliott. He qualified 18th and was running in the top 15 before taking out a buoy on the 30th lap and ending the hopes of many fans of Malaysia. Simon hopes he’ll get more racing time next season.
Race drivers from 5 different continents challenged the 10 race 10 month odyssey that is the U.I.M. F1 World Championship. The series that puts the world’s best drivers in the worlds most exciting boats and races in front of hundreds of thousands of race fans from around the world while 750 million people watch has finished off another memorable year. All in all, it’s a changing picture that this series is showing in the 21st century but it continues to only get stronger and more exciting. 2005 is just a few months away and once again we will see who has the nerve, the teamwork and mental toughness to beat all challengers and race away from the pack and win the U.I.M. F1 World Championship.
