Abu Dhabi team to miss ill Al Hamli
Al Qamzi hopes to win powerboat race for unfortunate team mate
Abu Dhabi: The Abu Dhabi International Marine Sports Club (ADIMSC) completed preparations to host the penultimate round of the 2012 UIM Formula One Powerboats World Championship this week amidst sadness over the absence of their driver Ahmad Al Hamli because of serious illness.
Al Hamli is placed second in the Drivers’ World Championship standings with 50 points, only nine behind leader Alex Carella. And with the UAE hosting the last two rounds in Abu Dhabi and Sharjah, Al Hamli was surely a favourite to win the title, but he will miss at least the rest of the season.
Thani Al Qamzi, Al Hamli’s team mate in the Abu Dhabi F1 Team, said: “It is sad to miss Ahmad in this stage of the championship, but this is God’s will. We will do our very best to compete for the title and dedicate it to him.”
Al Qamzi is placed fifth with 25 points going into the Abu Dhabi event, being held on Thursday and Friday, and has an outside chance of winning the title.
Majed Al Mansouri will continue to replace Al Hamli, who also missed the last round in China.
Ahmad Al Rumaithi, a member of the Board of Directors of the ADIMSC, told a press conference on Tuesday: “We are fully prepared to achieve the usual success Abu Dhabi has been famous for in the past two decades as the most popular site in the UIM F1 races.
“We are happy and pleased that the race will coincide with the UAE’s celebrations of the 41st National Day and we are determined to achieve success on and off the circuit as our drivers have proved their true worth and became serious contenders for the world title.”
Tilal Al Hashemi, the representative of Abu Dhabi Sports Council, welcomed the participants in the race in Abu Dhabi and said: “The F1 World Championship has been a great means of promotion to our country and its capital in the past two decades and we are proud to host the event annually.”
Nicolo De San Germano, the UIM International Promoter, thanked the ADIMSC for their usual support and confirmed his trust and faith that they will achieve great success, which will help in further promoting the sport.
The conference was also attended by Joe Chamoun, general manager of Sales of Etihad Airways in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain.
