Alex Carella took pole for today’s UIM F1H2o Grand Prix of Xiamen during the Rebellion Qualifications.

The four-time UIM F1H2o World Champion who had a tough time with the Victory Team, bounced back to form with his new team and posted a 52.26 lap time, his first pole position since Sharjah in 2017.

A very emotional Alex Carella told F1H2o’s Nigel Quilter after:

After two terrible years and for everyone who has supported me this is incredible.

This is for my father, for Scott Gillman and the team.

Now I will try to win but this pole is already enough.

It proves everything, it answers to everyone.

I can still do it in the right situation.

Philippe Chiappe set a 52.33 on his first Q3 lap, good enough for second, but then incredibly did a complete somersault while chasing pole on his second lap.

The Frenchman landed the right way up and told Quilter:

This is the game, we wanted pole after being unlucky in Evian and it was important for us to get a good result for the team here in China.

I did my best pushed hard and was so close after my first lap but the wind was tricky and the boat was lighter, less fuel and she went over.

Jonas Andersson, who currently lies second in the World Championship was third quickest with a 52.57.

Championship leader, Shaun Torrente, and his Abu Dhabi team mate, Thani Al Qemzi, both failed to get through to Q3.

Torrente will start from 9th with Al Qemzi 2 places higher on the grid.

2019 UIM F1H2o Grand Prix of Xiamen - Rebellion Qualifications