After nine seasons and 44 Grand Prix appearances, Peter Morin has ended his partnership with China CTIC Team. The French driver, who took the controls of the team’s single-seat hydroplane for the season opener in Cagliari, chose not to continue when offered the opportunity to contest the Shanghai Grand Prix.
Morin’s departure marks the end of a lengthy association with one of F1H2O’s most competitive outfits. Over his time with China CTIC, the driver accumulated ten podium finishes across both sprint and championship races, cementing himself as a reliable performer in the world’s most demanding circuit powerboat series. His career highlight came in 2023, when he secured third place in the drivers’ world championship while steering the team’s boat.
“I want to thank the entire staff, and Eric Chan in particular,” Morin said in his statement, acknowledging the team manager who oversaw much of his tenure. Despite the professional nature of the split, Morin’s words carried genuine appreciation for the years spent chasing 220km/h speeds across international venues.
The timing of the separation caught some attention. Morin raced in Cagliari to open the season but sat out the Kyrgyzstan Grand Prix before deciding against returning for Shanghai. These aren’t the actions of a driver simply rotating out for tactical reasons. Rather, they suggest a mutual recognition that the partnership had run its natural course.
China CTIC Team will now search for a new lead driver to partner alongside Brent Dillard. The announcement regarding Morin’s replacement is expected shortly. For a team that has contended consistently in Formula 1 powerboat racing, finding a suitable replacement will matter considerably as the season progresses. The calibre of driver available in the F1H2O paddock remains high, but experience counts for plenty in a series where mistakes at racing speeds can prove catastrophic.
Morin’s exit opens questions about his next move. Whether he pursues another F1H2O drive, shifts focus to different powerboat categories, or steps away from competitive racing altogether remains unclear. At this stage, the Frenchman appears content to reflect on a respectable run in the sport’s premier series, one that produced a world championship medal and numerous top-three finishes against the globe’s best hydroplane pilots.
