LONDON–Formula 1 Powerboat racing will return to London for the first time in over 30 years, with organizers H2O Racing announcing a London Grand Prix as part of the 2018 World Championship season. The 2018 London race will see 20 of the world’s leading Formula 1 Powerboat drivers race around the iconic Royal Victoria Dock.
CentrEd at ExCeL, ExCeL’s dedicated meeting and training venue, will host hospitality, providing spectators with stunning views over the Royal Docks and a prime spot to enjoy all the action. The three-day race weekend (June 15-17) will give spectators the chance to see powerful catamarans race at speeds of up to 140 mph. Showcasing the latest powerboat technology and engineering, the race will be part of London Tech Week 2018, Europe’s largest festival of technology and innovation.
The London Grand Prix will also feature as part of the landmark 38th UIM F1H20 World Championship season that will see eight races held in locations across the world including Abu Dhabi, UAE; Portimao, Portugal; and Evian, France.
Jeremy Rees, acting CEO, ExCeL London, says, “We are delighted that the Formula 1 Powerboat Championship have chosen London and that CentrEd at ExCeL will play an integral part in hosting this exciting event. We are looking forward to welcoming guests to a very unique experience, different to the training and smaller meetings that CentrEd normally plays host to. This is also a fantastic addition to London Tech Week, cementing the Capital’s reputation as a leading global city for technology and innovation.”
“The UK has a longstanding association and love affair with powerboat racing, so for us it was a natural decision to add London to the exclusive UIM F1H2O World Championship calendar. London’s track record of not only hosting internationally renowned sporting events, but also its unrivalled success creating legacies for these sports was a major attraction. We believe the UIM F1H2O World Championship Grand Prix of London will help to further expand the World Championship’s global fan base, and we’re excited to give London’s spectators a unique and thrilling experience,” says promoter Nicolo di San Germano.
Li Haojie, chairman of Tian Rong Sports, says, “As a Chinese company, we are honored and delighted to stage the UIM F1H2O World Championship Grand Prix of London for the first time. We believe that this event, which echoes China’s “Belt and Road” initiative, will constitute a highly positive effect on London’s international status, as well as East London’s development.”
“From the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games to the IAAF Summer of World Athletics in 2017, London has proved it excels at hosting great sporting events, and really can put on a show,” says Laura Citron, CEO at London & Partners, the Mayor of London’s official promotional agency for the city. “It is fantastic to welcome UIM Formula 1 World Championship powerboat racing back after 33 years, and we look forward to welcoming visitors from all over the world for what will no doubt be a thrilling event.”
The last race to be staged in London was in 1985. The race will be broadcast live around the world and will be shown on BT Sport in the UK.
General tickets and VIP tickets (which include a range of hospitality packages) are available for the UIM F1H2O World Championship Grand Prix of London. For more info, visit www.f1h2o.co.uk or contact Mark Thomas at F1H2OLondonService@hotmail.com.
ExCeL London is the capital’s international convention and exhibition center, located in London’s Royal Docks. Since opening in November 2000, ExCeL London has hosted more than 4,000 events including trade and consumer exhibitions, conferences, association meetings, product launches, AGMs, gala dinners, award ceremonies, sporting events and religious festivals. More than 20 million people from more than 200 different countries have visited ExCeL London. ExCeL London was acquired by ADNEC, the Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company in 2008. For more info, visit www.excel.london.
