In Powerboat racing the F1 is the most spectacular series and the one doing the most to improve its technology. Many prestigious names of drivers are linked to F1 and the driver holding the record of victories up to now is the actual World Champion Guido Cappellini who was a pupil of the former record holder Renato Molinari.

 

Nowadays, the F1 boats easily exceed the speed of 220 km/hour on the staight lines and can almost reach 180 km/hour in the very sharp turns round the turn buyoys. The boats can accelerate from 0 to 100 km per hour in 3,5 seconds thanks to a relation between the weight and the power of 1 hp per kg.
The new catamarans are made out of fiber glass and their weight is 390 kg, the length is 6 m and the width is 2.5 m. Their engine capacity is 2000 cc which gives 350 hp at 9700 rev.
In 1981, the UIM (Union Internationale Motonautique) officially admitted the actual title of F1.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

World speed record   unlimited propeller class

1989  B.Wartinger USA   Karelsen/Evinrude        176,55 mph        284,14  kph

Here is the list of the World Champions from 1978  

1978 
1979 
1980 
1981 
1982 
1983 
1984 
1985 
1986 
1987 
1988 
1989 
1990 
1991 
1992 
1993 
1994 
1995 
1996 
1997

Tom Percival
Bob Spalding
Bob Spalding
Renato Molinari
Roger Jenkins
Renato Molinari
Renato Molinari
Bob Spalding
Gene Thibodaux
Bill Seebold
Chris Bush
Jonathan Jones
John Hill
Jonathan Jones
Fabrizio Bocca 
Guido Cappellini 
Guido Cappellini 
Guido Cappellini 
Guido Cappellini
Scott Gillman

GB
GB
GB
ITA
GB
ITA
ITA
GB
USA
USA
USA
GB
GB
GB
ITA
ITA
ITA
ITA
ITA