Team Abu Dhabis Rashed Al Qemzi launches his bid to repossess the UIM F2 World Championship title next weekend in Lithuania, where the Emirati made a revolution in international powerboat racing two years ago.

It was on the Kaunas Reservoir in 2017 that Al Qemzi followed up a brilliant pole position with victory in the Lithuanian Grand Prix on his F2 debut, a result which placed the foundations for his championship triumph.

He will be joined again in this seasons opening round by Rashid Al Tayer, less than two months after the two Emiratis combined with Shaun Torrente and Tullio Abbate to give Team Abu Dhabi a superb World Endurance Championship victory in the 24 Hours of Rouen in France.

Al Qemzi, who lost his F2 title last season to Alberto Comparato, finished fourth to the Italian in Lithuania where Al Tayer was in contention in a powerful line-up of 28 boats before crashing out of the season opener.

Another strong entry of 24 drivers from 14 nations is assembling in Kaunas, and the Team Abu Dhabi duo will be well aware of the threat from Lithuanias Edgaras Riabko who finished runner-up in his home event last year.

With last seasons race winner, Comparto, now contesting the F1H20 championship, his title-winning boat will be raced by American Brent Dillard. Action begins with free practice at 11am on Saturday ahead of Sundays Grand Prix getting under way at 3pm