Victory Team will target pole position during qualifying for the Shanghai Grand Prix on Sunday, according to a report from the Emirates News Agency. Drivers Shaun Torrente and Alec Weckstrom are set to compete in the event taking place in the Baoshan district on October 4 and 5. Torrente enters the weekend leading the drivers’ standings, and the team is the defending champion in the UIM F1H2O series.
Powerboat News figures show Torrente holds a four-point advantage with 40 points ahead of Stefan Arand on 36 points, while Jonas Andersson sits third with 31 points. The American driver claimed victory in the Kyrgyzstan round and has confirmed that the current campaign will be his last before retirement. Victory Team also features Weckstrom, who contributed to the squad’s teams’ title success in 2025 alongside Torrente’s drivers’ crown.
The 2026 season has been shortened to four rounds following the cancellation of the Jeddah Grand Prix due to external circumstances, a Powerboat News assessment found. Shanghai will be followed by the season finale in Sharjah in December, setting up a decisive conclusion to the championship. Each round offers points from two sprint races and the main Grand Prix, with 30 points available per event.
Torrente secured a sprint race win in last year’s Shanghai event, according to series records, demonstrating the team’s historical strength at the venue. The tight Huangpu River circuit has produced dramatic racing in past editions, including multiple retirements and yellow flag periods. Team Abu Dhabi and Sharjah Team remain key rivals, with several drivers capable of challenging for podium positions.
Qualifying is scheduled for 12:15 local time on Sunday, followed by two sprint races later that day, Powerboat News reported. The main Grand Prix takes place on Monday after a morning warm-up session. Victory Team has opted to continue with DAC hulls powered by Mercury 2-stroke engines, the same setup that delivered its 2025 titles.
The championship battle remains tight with maximum points still available across the remaining rounds. Torrente’s experience as a four-time world champion positions him as a favorite, yet mechanical issues or incidents could quickly alter the standings. Additional teams including China CTIC Team and Strømøy Racing will also line up for the Shanghai competition.
