Victory Team will begin their F1H2O World Championship title defence in Italy later this month, with the opening round of the 2026 season set for Cagliari on May 30 and 31.
The Dubai team will travel to Sardinia on May 26 before a packed race-week schedule. The drivers’ briefing is due on May 27, followed by technical inspections of boats and engines on May 28.
Free practice will take place on May 29. Qualifying and sprint races follow on May 30, before the main race on May 31.
Victory Team head into the new campaign as defending world champions. The season will include seven main races across five countries and runs until December.
The delegation will be led by Mohammed Hareb, CEO of Dubai International Marine Club. He said the team had prepared well in Dubai and was ready for the start of the season, both technically and mentally.
Dubai International Marine Club has continued to back the team under the direction of Dr Ahmed Saeed Bin Meshar, Chairman of the Board of Directors, with support from the board.
The driver line-up includes Shaun Torrente, the reigning world champion, who is preparing for his final season before retirement. He will be joined by Alec Weckström, who is expected to push across the campaign, and Ahmed Al Fahim.
For Victory Team, the opening round carries added interest. Cagliari is returning to the F1H2O calendar for the first time since 2004.
The city hosted seven rounds between 1998 and 2004. Scott Gillman and Guido Cappellini claimed most of the wins during that run, with Viktor Kunitsch breaking through to win the 2001 race.
