MULTIPLE DRIVER CHANGES FOR GP OPENER IN PORTUGAL !
ROGGERIO & ROBERTO OUT WITH LEDI, LUNDIN AND BOCCA IN !

PORTIMAO, Portugal – 11th of May, 2007 – It’s been difficult to keep up with the changes to the driver line-up during inspection day for this weekend’s Grand Prix of Portugal on the Arade River at the opening round of the 2007 U.I.M. F1 World Championship for power boating.

Italian Massimo Roggiero has gone missing following his testing misshap this past week in Italy with driver sustaining no injuries but his new BABA hull was badly damaged with no possible way for the 42 year-old driver to attend in time for the Grand Prix with the Qatar Team.

Another Italian Luigi Roberto will also miss Portimao and will be replaced by Swedish pilot Pierre Lundin who last raced in Como at the Grand Prix of Italy last summer. Veteran Franco Leidi is replacing Massimiliano Moreschi on the Singha Team joining Francesco Cantando, while the Rainbow is back once again with veteran Fabrizio Bocca leading the team with Valerio Lagiannella back in the second boat looking for championship points this season.

The talk around the paddock has been obviously the newly instituted crash boxes that are fitted to the sides of the cockpit for added protection for the drivers this season. The added weight they place on the hull may force the pilots to drive a little differently through deceleration zones and through the all important chicane.

Great weather is expected all this weekend with plenty of sunshine and temperatures in the mid-20’s (75F) with the afternoon winds kicking up as usual which may cause more excitement during the late afternoon top-6 shottout for pole position tomorrow.

The 2007 season is already kicking up surprises for the opening round of the 2007 U.I.M. F1 World Championship for power boating.

For additional information, interviews or video footage please contact:

Steve Michael Reporting - Philippe Stiernon F1 Press Officer

Photos: http://www.f1boatphotos.com