Formula 1 Powerboat Racing returns to the capital for London Tech Week 2018

Formula 1 Powerboat racing (F1H20) will return to London for the first time in over 30 years, with organisers U.I.M announcing a London Grand Prix as part of the 2018 World Championship season.

The 2018 race will see around 24 drivers of the world’s leading F1 Powerboat drivers race around the iconic Royal Victoria Docks site in June next year.

The two-day race weekend (16-17^th June) will give spectators the chance to see the lightweight and powerful catamarans race at speeds of up to 140mph. 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 38^th F1H20 World Championship season that will see eight races held in cities across the world including Abu Dhabi, Miami and Harbin, China.

Andrew Cooke, Acting CEO of London & Partners said: “London is the sporting and cultural capital of the world. Over the last few months our great city has once again shown our enthusiasm for sport and openness, welcoming some of the greatest sports stars and fans from all over the world.”

“I am delighted that the Formula 1 Powerboat championships will be returning to London and offers further proof that London is able to attract the best international sporting events.”

Mr. Li Haojie, Chairman of Tianrong Sports, the Chinese sports promotional company behind the U.I.M. F1H2O World Championship added: “London has a great sporting tradition and was a natural choice to showcase Formula 1 Powerboat racing. We are excited to bring the sport back to London at the iconic Royal Victoria Docks, and hope the event will bring new impetus for the revitalisation of East London and promote its development. We look forward to the opportunity to expand our global fan base in London and give spectators the chance to experience one of the most electrifying live sporting events in the world.”

The last race to be staged in London was in 1984. The race will be broadcast live around the world and will be shown on Sky Sports in the UK.

The Formula 1 Powerboat racing championships is just one of a range of international sporting events being held in London this year including four NFL games this autumn, the IAAF World Championships and the World Para Athletics Championships and the world’s biggest festival of cycling, RideLondon.

In recent years, London has proved a real draw for major sporting events, with a string of high-profile international competitions, such as the Tour de France 2014, EuroHockey Championships 2015, the European Swimming Championships 2015, the Rugby World Cup 2015 and the cycling’s UCI Track World Championships 2016.

London & Partners Media & PR Team

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