Team Vietnam’s Jonas Andersson Shakes Up Title Race with Victory at Zhengzhou

Team Vietnam’s Jonas Andersson claimed a crucial victory at the New Development Grand Prix of Zhengzhou-China, propelling him to the top of the UIM F1H2O World Championship standings. The Swede led from start to finish in a race filled with yellow flags and high attrition, capitalizing on retirements from his closest rivals, Rusty Wyatt and Erik Stark.

Andersson’s 15th career victory and first of the season gives him a narrow three-point lead in the Drivers’ Championship heading into the final round in Sharjah in December. His success also helped Team Vietnam move ahead in the Teams’ Championship, now leading over the Sharjah Team and Strømøy Racing.

“It was actually very easy,” Andersson said. “The course was strange—one side was flat but very windy, the other was rough. I made a decision to change the prop and get more speed, and it went fantastic. I’m super happy for the team because we worked like hell this weekend. Now we are back on top where we should be.”

Blustery conditions caused a chaotic start, with a collision between Ahmad Al-Fahim and Erik Stark taking both drivers out on the opening lap. Moments later, Brent Dillard of the China CTIC Team barrel-rolled into retirement. After a lengthy yellow flag period, only 12 racers remained when action resumed on lap nine.

Peter Morin of the China CTIC Team secured second place after fending off two-time World Champion Sami Seliö. Morin’s performance lifts him into third in the championship standings, while Seliö’s third-place finish keeps his podium streak intact.

“It was a very difficult race with challenging water conditions,” Morin said. “It was important to stay in second place and not attack Jonas.”

Seliö echoed the difficulty of the conditions, adding, “It was a very hard race, and finishing on the podium is always the minimum target.”

Bartek Marszalek of Strømøy Racing and Ferdinand Zandbergen of Red Devil-SMC F1 Team completed the top five. Alexandre Bourgeot of Maverick Racing achieved his best result of the season in sixth place, followed by Marit Strømøy in seventh.

Wyatt, who had been leading the championship, suffered a mechanical failure on lap 14, throwing the title race wide open. With the final round approaching, Andersson now holds a slim advantage with 99 points, while Wyatt remains in contention with 96.

The final showdown will take place in Sharjah in early December, where Andersson, Wyatt, and Morin will battle for the championship crown.

2024 New Development Grand Prix of Zhengzhou-China – Results:

1. Jonas Andersson (SWE) Team Vietnam – 32 laps
2. Peter Morin (FRA) China CTIC Team – @9.804 sec
3. Sami Seliö (FIN) Red Devil-SMC F1 Team – @11.624 sec
4. Bartek Marszalek (POL) Strømøy Racing – @13.312 sec
5. Ferdinand Zandbergen (NLD) Red Devil-SMC F1 Team – @15.464 sec

Championship Standings After Round 5:

1. Jonas Andersson (SWE) Team Vietnam – 99 points
2. Rusty Wyatt (CAN) Sharjah Team – 96 points
3. Peter Morin (FRA) China CTIC Team – 79.5 points