The 10 teams and 20 racers taking part in this weekend’s Kopiko Grand Prix of Indonesia, the opening round of the 2023 UIM F1H2O World Championship, are now fine tuning their race boats and set-ups ready for the start of extra free practice on the Lake Toba race course on Friday afternoon.

Marit Strømøy and the Strømøy Racing F1H2O Team have been leaving nothing to chance in the build up to Sunday’s race. The Norwegian admitted that she and Polish team-mate Bartek Marszalek have new engines and propellers for the weekend. She said: “It’s been a short time between the end of 2022 and the start of 2023, so we are working double time to sort all the loose ends. We feel confident that we will get back on the podium again this season.”

American Brent Dillard is heading into his first ever F1H2O race after making the giant step-up from F2. He said: “We are on a giant learning curve coming here for the first time and spending time with my new team. I feel very relaxed and confident that we will make a mark on this sport. It has been a dream of mine to race in F1H2O. The China CTIC Team is very professional and they are making it very comfortable for me to slide into my new seat. They are learning a bit of my southern American accent and I, their French style as well!”

Erik Stark returns to the paddock with the Victory Team for the first time since 2019. “I’m truly over the moon after returning to F1H2O and the Victory Team,” said the Swede.

“We are all coming out of the starting gate feeling fresh and ready to impress. I’ve come so close to winning a title before and I now know what it takes to get the job done.”

Tomorrow (Friday), teams commence the first two-hour free practice session on the Lake Toba course from 11.00hrs (04.00hrs CET). The challenging nine-pin course features two right-hand corners (yellow buoys) and a pit straight of 520 metres.