Issyk-Kul Hosts Formula 1 H2O for the First Time
The races took place from July 31 to August 2 near the village of Bayet on the southern shore of Lake Issyk-Kul.
The event featured free practice sessions, qualifying, two sprint races and the main race, the Grand Prix of Kyrgyzstan. The Issyk-Kul round was the second event of the 2026 UIM F1H2O World Championship season.
American driver Shaun Torrente claimed victory in the Grand Prix of Kyrgyzstan. Sweden's Jonas Andersson finished second, while Estonia's Stefan Arand completed the podium in third place. Torrente had also secured pole position and won the first sprint race, while Andersson took victory in the second sprint.
The Issyk-Kul round marked a historic milestone for Kyrgyzstan. It was the country's first time hosting a Formula 1 H2O event, making Kyrgyzstan the first nation in Central Asia to stage a round of the championship.
One of the defining features of the Kyrgyzstan round was its location. Situated 1,607 metres above sea level, Lake Issyk-Kul hosted the highest-altitude race on the Formula 1 H2O calendar. The 1,929-metre circuit was laid out near the village of Bayet, between the Ak-Maral and Chaika resorts.
Formula 1 H2O is the world's premier powerboat racing championship, sanctioned by the Union Internationale Motonautique (UIM).
The championship features single-seater tunnel boats capable of reaching speeds of up to 250 km/h. Combining high speeds with technically demanding circuits, Formula 1 H2O represents the highest level of circuit powerboat racing.
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