7:52 AM Tue 15 Dec 2009 GMT
It was a Championship winning partnership between a rookie driver and a former World Champion that came together for the first time in the 2009 season opener in Doha, Qatar, before yesterday's tragedy brought a cruel and devastating end to Mohammad Al Mehairi and Jean-Marc Sanchez's story when their boat flipped, landed upside down with fatal consequences for both pilots.
The exuberance of Emirati Mohammad Al Mehairi and experience of Frenchman Jean-Marc Sanchez would go on to secure a pole position, race wins and the European title in their eight races together.
An impressive showing and a fourth place in the opening pole position of the season, was surpassed by a third place finish in their first race at the Qatar Grand Prix in April which showed that despite the newness of their partnership they already had the makings of a dazzling duo. After the race Sanchez predicted good things to come for him and his new partner saying: 'This was our first time together and there is more to come.'
How prophetic that remark seemed after round two in Arendal, Norway. Qualifying in first place in the morning, they went on to claim their maiden victory in only Al Mehairi's second race in the elite class of world powerboat racing. Their victory catapulted them to the top of the World Championship standings, and laid the first marker of their successful run to the European title.
As the season moved onto Constanta, Romania, the mantle of serious challengers was beginning to look appropriate, after qualifying second behind team-mates Fazza, and a third successive podium finish in race 1 of the weekend saw them maintain their place at the top of the championship standings.
On the magical Lake Maggiore, the Italian Grand Prix in Stresa was to provide the charismatic pilots with their exceptional moment of the season. A win in race 1 followed by a second place in race 2 saw Al Mehairi and Sanchez crowned European Champions.
Two more second place finishes in Abu Dhabi brought them into Dubai with only eight points separating them from team-mates Fazza in the race for the World Championship.
The tragedy has robbed the sport of a racing legend in Jean-Marc Sanchez, who, in 2007 became the first Frenchman to win the Class 1 World and European Championship, and a rising star in Mohammad Al Mehairi, who became a Champion in his rookie season.
Mohammad Al Mehairi
Class 1 World Powerboat Championship statistics
Debut: 2009
Races: 8
Wins: 2
Podiums: 5
Pole Position wins: 1
European Champion: 2009
Jean-Marc Sanchez
Class 1 World Powerboat Championship statistics
Debut: 2004 (1984)
Races: 47
Wins: 10
Podiums: 28
Pole Position wins: 2
World Champion: 2007
European Champion: 2009, 2007
Middle East Champion: 2005
2nd World Championship: 2008, 2006, 2005
3rd World Championship 2004
www.class-1.com
by Class-1 Media
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