On the picturesque shores of Lake Issyk-Kul, the first day of the Formula 1 World Championship stage unfolded, captivating spectators and fans alike. The qualifying rounds saw three-time world champion Jonas Andersson from Team Abu Dhabi clinch the pole position with a remarkable time of 48.778 seconds, outpacing reigning champion Shaun Torrente of Victory Team by a notable 0.738 seconds. Rounding out the top three was Alex Vekstrom, with Eric Stark, Grant Trask, and Stefan Arand also securing spots in the top six.
Race Highlights
Andersson demonstrated his prowess by winning the first sprint race, maintaining his lead from the start to the finish line. Following closely behind was his teammate Eric Stark, who finished in second place, while two-time world champion Sami Selio took third.
However, the Sharjah Team faced significant challenges during the event. Rasti Wyatt, who had to replace his engine, started from the back of the pack but impressively climbed to sixth place. Unfortunately, his teammate Grant Trask was unable to score points due to damage to his boat, and both drivers faced penalties post-race: Wyatt received a one-lap penalty, while Trask was disqualified.
The second sprint race saw Shaun Torrente of Victory Team emerge victorious. He launched off the starting line with confidence, establishing a lead of over three seconds by the end of the first lap, which he maintained throughout the race to secure 10 points. Alex Vekstrom finished in second place, with Stefan Arand claiming third, as Rashed Al-Kemzi from Team Abu Dhabi lost his podium position due to a penalty for a starting line infraction.
