Shon Tourenti Tops Qualifying and Wins Sprint at Sardinia Grand Prix
Shon Tourenti topped qualifying and won the sprint at the Sardinia Grand Prix, putting Victory Team ahead in the 2026 F1 powerboat season opener in Cagliari.
Shon Tourenti produced a commanding performance in Cagliari on Saturday, leading the official qualifying session to secure pole position for Sunday’s main race at the Sardinia Grand Prix. The Victory Team driver set the session’s quickest lap at 42.533 seconds, underlining the team’s early-season pace. Tourenti followed that result with victory in the opening sprint, collecting the first 10 points of the 2026 campaign.
Qualifying session: Tourenti fastest in Cagliari
Tourenti’s best lap of 42.533 seconds put Victory Team’s Victory 1 at the head of the grid for the main event. Rasti Waite was the leading challenger in qualifying with a time of 42.727 seconds, finishing narrowly behind the pole sitter. Several other competitors posted competitive times, with notable efforts from Stefan Arand and Alec Wickstrom as the field prepared for tomorrow’s decisive race.
Sprint race: Tourenti secures early championship points
The opening sprint, run over 17 laps, ended in another strong result for Tourenti as he crossed the line first to claim the full 10-point reward. Peter Morin, representing China, took second place after a close battle, while Patrik Martchlik of Stromi Racing completed the podium in third. Tourenti’s sprint victory not only added early points but also reinforced Victory Team’s status as a title contender at the season’s first round.
Team outcomes: UAE squads show mixed fortunes
Emirati teams had varied results during qualifying and the sprint, with several local names posting respectable times on the Cagliari circuit. Grant Trask, campaigning for Sharjah Team, clocked a 43.297-second lap to place sixth in the qualifying order. Abu Dhabi Team drivers Jonas Anderson, Eric Stark, and Rashid Al Qamzi were further down the timesheet but remain within striking distance ahead of the main race.
Victory Team preparations and sponsorship visible in Cagliari
Victory Team ran a tightly managed operation all weekend, with technical and timing support provided by the team’s official partner, Nonsier watches. The team’s equipment, including the Victory 1 and Victory 3 boats, showed reliable speed and handling during practice and qualifying sessions. Team mechanics and strategists will now focus on race-day setups and fuel strategies aimed at converting the weekend’s qualifying success into maximum points in the grand prix.
Officials and management react to strong start
Mohammed Hareb, chief executive of Dubai International Marine Sports Club and head of the Victory Team delegation, praised the performance and professionalism shown by Tourenti and his crew. Hareb highlighted the importance of a strong opening round in setting the tone for the season and said the result reflected months of preparation and teamwork. He added that the squad aims to maintain momentum and expects all team members to produce an even stronger showing in the main event.
Shon Tourenti’s performance in Sardinia underscores the competitive nature of the 2026 F1 powerboat field and raises the stakes for Sunday’s headline race. With pole position and sprint points secured, Tourenti and Victory Team enter the main race with clear momentum and tactical options to manage from the front. The UAE outfits, led by Sharjah and Abu Dhabi teams, will be looking to close gaps and challenge for podium positions as the championship gets underway.
Sunday’s main race promises intense competition as teams adjust strategy and drivers push for the opening round victory that can define early-season standings.
