ABU DHABI // Scott Gillman, the manager of Team Abu Dhabi, will replace the suspended Ahmed Al Hameli for this weekend's Grand Prix of Russia, the third round of the UIM F1 H20 World Championship.
Al Hameli is not competing after being given a red card by officials after the Grand Prix of Portugal in May, but the multiple former world champion Gillman has seized the opportunity to return to racing alongside Thani Al Qamzi, who steered the team to third in their last outing.
Gillman's participation was confirmed by the Abu Dhabi International Marine Sports Club's (ADIMSC) Salem Al Rumaithi, with the Emirati pair of Majed Al Mansoori and Rashid Al Tayer unavailable due to competing in the Norwegian Class 1 Grand Prix.
"We had the option to use Scott, because we want to make sure we maximise our chances of gaining as many points in both the sporting disciplines this season," he said.
"We respect the decision of the commission concerning Ahmed Al Hameli and comply with all the decisions but, certainly, he will return in Kiev and will complete the remainder of the season."
Gillman has spent the last four years training the young Team Abu Dhabi talents.
Meanwhile, his teammate Al Qamzi is confident that he can better his third place in Portugal this weekend on the Volga in Kazan.
"There are still seven rounds of the championship left to run and there are a lot of points at stake," he said. "It is important to do well in Kazan and improve in the overall standings. Our preparations have been going well for the last two months since the race in Portugal."
