Last October Duarte Benavente won the 2020 UIM F2 World Championship in Vila Velha de Ródão, this weekend the veteran Portuguese racer has returned to the scene of his greatest racing achievement – To test both his F1 and F2 boats.

Benavente’s F1 Moore hull hit the water on Friday

On Friday he ran his F1 (above) and yesterday (Sunday) he was testing his F2 Moore hull in preparation for the season opener in Lithuania next month.

Benavente’s F2 challenger

Benavente told me this morning:

We had great week in beautiful Vila Velha de Rodão, preparing for our 2021 racing season.

Its a pleasure to be back in the race seat and hopefully this season can be better in general terms to our loved powerboat racing sport, and of course, can bring us reasons to be happy and proud at the end of it.

I would like to thank all of my sponsors and the Vila Velha de Rodao municipality for making the week so fantastic and for all the support they always give us.

Interestingly, Benavente will have 45 as his race number in F2 again this season and not number one to indicate he is the world champion:

It has been my number since my first race, I can use one, but I decide to keep 45.

He will commence the defence of his championship over the weekend of July 4-6 in Kupiškis, however, due to the current health and travel situation, it is still unknown when or where the 2021 UIM F1H20 World Championship will kick-off.