Italian second generation driver Alberto Comparato became an instant hero and household name throughout Italy last September when he surprised the racing world by placing his DAC raceboat on pole position at the season's opening event on the historic Po River.
The resident of Chioggia, is hoping to have a severe case of “Deja vu” this year at the second round of the 2022 UIM F1 H20 World Championship race at the FIM Grand Prix of the Regione Emilia Romagna by repeating the process where last year he took Q3 qualifying by storm with a 41.97 second lap around the 1.971 m circuit for his first career pole position at a speed of 169.06 kph.
“I was totally in the clouds with excitement accomplishing this in my home country,” stated Alberto. “I thanked my father Fabio (former F1 pilot) who is totally dedicated to my success with endless enthusiasm and am looking forward to trying once again to reach the top step and receiving the accolades one has with this pole position result.”
The 24 year-old from Northeast Italy, is one of the youngest drivers on the tour. He is the third pilot who is racing this season who represents a second generation of F1 racers after his father Fabio competed and won the Grand Prix of Malaysia almost 20 years ago.
Alberto is currently listed as the only Italian in the field of drivers representing 10 nations at this years FIM Grand Prix of Regione Emilia Romagna on the 15th and 16th July.
“It's going to be an extra amount of fun in San Nazzaro this year, for we will be racing a special “double-header” weekend with two Grand Prix's stuffed into a weekend with Sunday's Grand Prix of Italy taking on added pressure with a pair of races back-to-back,” said Alberto. “You surely don't want to damage your equipment on Saturday because Sunday's race is in less than 24 hours time.”
American Shaun Torrente of Team Abu Dhabi currently leads the championship after scoring his 10th career victory of his 11 year career at the Grand Prix of France in Macon back in the month of May.
His teammate, Thani Al Qemzi of the UAE was just 5.66 seconds behind making it a one-two Team Abu Dhabi sweep ahead of CTIC China Team's Peter Morin of France taking the final podium position and becoming the first driver in history to finish in the top-three in his home countries Grand Prix.
Another second generation driver Alec Weckstrom of Gillman Racing was fourth in France as he chases the “Rookie-of-the-Year” trophy this season and hoping at years end to emulate what Alberto Comparato did in 2019 and take the “rookie” title.
Alec, is one of three young “sharks” fighting for the top rung in their opening season as he battles fellow Finn Kalle Viippo and Ferdinand Zandbergen of Holland along with France's Alexandre Bourgeot who is the veteran of the group but also in his first season of UIM F1 H2O racing for Team Maverick.
So, once again all eyes will be on young Alberto Comparato as he starts his 10th career event on Saturday the 16th of July looking to improve on his 50% finishing record and lighting up the water for the first of back-to-back Grand Prix's in lovely San Nazarro, Italy on the Po River.
