With tears in his eyes, four-time World Champion Scott Gillman spoke slowly about his long time racer and more importantly, good friend, Ahmed Al Hameli.

It was difficult for the American to come to terms with his passing, expressing only love and great thoughts for the driver from Abu Dhabi who was with him thru the ups and downs of a career that encompassed so many physical hurdles that lasted for almost a decade.

“He was like a son I never had,” stated Scott. “He was always with me, even when I left Team Abu Dhabi and started the Emirates Team, he was at my side from start to finish. A truly loyal person, that I will always have wonderful thoughts of. Through all his battles with physical headaches and pain, he was a real battler that would never give up. I'm devastated with his loss.”

 Ahmed, who started his F1H2O career in 2006 at his home race at the Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi, made a quick if not notable impression by finishing in the top-ten in the last two races of that season.

The following year, for the first time in his career be it illegally, he led the field of drivers by jump starting two seconds early ahead of the lights at the Grand Prix of France in La Rochelle and leading  the pack with no driver being able to catch him during his time on the water before dropping out from the event with mechanical problems. A funny moment while showing off his skills at the same time.

Ahmed's first real pole position came at the Grand Prix of Portugal in Portimao in 2008 eventually losing out to future World Champion Jay Price but earning his first podium with a fine second place. He would go on to earn three more podiums and finish fourth in the World Championship standings.

 The driver from Abu Dhabi got his first win from pole position at the same site in Portugal a year later at the opening round of 2009 his first of seven career Grand Prix victories.

Statistically he started 81 Grand Prix's, had 10 pole positions, seven victories, 19 podiums and 30 top-five finishes. However, life is more than just statistics and Ahmed proved this by just pushing the boundaries of his illness.

 Following a great performance at the Grand Prix of Kyiv in 2011, winning both the race from pole position and the following match race the next day, his complaints of headaches necessitated him to check into a hospital for numerous checkups where doctors sadly found a cancerous mass that would take his life. 

Ahmed travelled the world for the next decade trying numerous solutions to his illness while trying to race at the same time.

The medical experts gave his three years to live, Ahmed lasted 11.

 His brave philosophy of "Amor fati" or “love of fate” drove him on to unrecognizable heights coming back to racing more than once and winning his final race at the Grand Prix of China in Liuzhou in 2016 from pole position four years after his last victory, while in the throws of fighting his disease.

“He could turn a boat quicker and more precise than any driver I've known in my career,” stated his Team Manager, teammate and friend, Gillman. “He came into the sport as a true talent and left this earth as a true champion, fighting his fate like a true winner to the bitter end.”

Ahmed Al Hameli, a true racer and father of six children, you are a true champion and will sorely be missed by all that you have touched in life!  

Stephen J. Michael - The Voice of F1H2O