Abu Dhabi (U.A.E), Sunday, 25 May 2003 - The second event of the 2003 U.I.M (Union Internationale Motonautique) F1 Powerboat Championship, the DOCUMENTUS FI Grand Prix is scheduled for June 15 in Helsinki, Finland.

A field of 22 drivers representing 18 different nationalities is expected. Two Finnish drivers will be favourites with the public: Sami Selio (Boat No.25) and Michael Weckström (Boat No. 26), both competing for Velden Racing F1, based in The Netherlands. Selio will race with a Johnson 3 liter and Weckström with a Mercury 2,5 liter engine.

The F1 Powerboat World Championship 2003 calendar consists of 11 events:  Portugal, Finland, Italy, Germany, Russian Federation, Malaysia, Singapore, Saudi Arabia and U.A.E. -- Abu Dhabi and Sharjah

"The Championship is returning to Helsinki, Finland for the second time in a row," said Pertti LEPPALA, organiser of the 2003 edition of the Finnish Grand Prix. " I have been working for over a year with the organising Committee to prepare the best edition ever of this great race.

"Last year's race was a good one, with Philippe Dessertenne's win on the Ligier Sports boat," Leppala continued. But "competition will be tough again this year. It should be a very exciting event in Finland's capital, there will be a lot of activities. The public can come every day with their families, as of 10 am, to follow a non-stop program until 6 pm on Saturday. On Saturday start also HONDA-SILVER celebrity race where 8 famouse people from TV, movie and sport stars are competing with Silverboats with Honda 4-strouk 90/hp engines on same race course as F1. On this class will race one famouse movie director Renny Harlin who has raced last year in offshore class 1 with Equardo Polli.

"On Sunday, the program will also be very rich. Besides the Honda-Silver celebrity race just before F1 , there will be different music events as part of the F1 Water Festival. The program includes the famous Finnish party band MIGHTY 44 and the glamorous girl band GIMMEL, for which we have built special stages. There will be a Miss F1-Competition, a Rally Simulator, a Wellness Sport Show, restaurants, bars, boat shows and lots moreÉ We expect two times more spectators than for last year.

Sami Selio says: "A home race is quite an exceptional event. I am focusing myself for a win. I would like so much to finish the race and complete the first ever race win of my career in front of my home public. This is my secret dream. In Portugal, I began the day in 3rd position and then struggled to stay in the top five. My power steering let go, and I had to retire 18 laps into the event. This is what I call bad luck. We have had a lot of bad luck, so far. But the boat has been doing well since the middle of last year, even though we have been struggling with the engine. Now I think that the bad time is over. I am optimistic, even though one never knows in motorsports. "

Finland's other favourite driver, Michael Weckström adds:" I am delighted to be able to complete my first full season. In 2002, I only completed three races. I am more than glad about the result of the race in Portimao, Portugal, the first event of the 2003 UIM World Championship even though I had to retire on lap 44. The Team has identified the problem, and the boat is now a good boat. We will do a whole week of testing in the next days with top USA propeller expert David DEWALD who will direct our testing program. Graham Jefferson from Australia will also bring new modifications for this session for the 2.5 litre engine. So I feel I am looking good for the race. I know, however, that competing in the Helsinki in the DOCUMENTUS FI Grand Prix is one of the challenges of the year. It is probably the most difficult race of the season because 50 per cent of the time we are racing on very rough waters because of the configuration of the harbour, while the rest of the race is on very flat water. It is not easy to set up an excellent balance for the boat over these different waters."

Nicolo di San Germano, Promoter of the UIM F1 World Championship: "I always return with pleasure to Finland, the farthest point north of our circuit. The event is taking place for the third time in a unique location, a port, which is one of busiest in Europe and always in movement. This also constitutes quite a challenge for our organisation. Everything should be put back in place right after the Grand Prix so that the commercial activity can resume. I hope that the second event of the 2003 Championship calendar will interest spectators of all ages. The organisers have done an excellent job, and there is something for everybody on the program."

For additional information, interviews or video footage please contact:

Steve Michael Reporting - Philippe Stiernon F1 Press Officer

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