Spa challenge next for FIA WEC podium finisher Al Harthy
Published: 05:05 PM,May 07,2024 | EDITED : 09:05 PM,May 07,2024
Spa challenge next for FIA WEC podium finisher Al Harthy
Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium: Just a couple of weeks since a star FIA World Endurance Championship performance at Imola delivered a first LMGT3 podium for Oman’s Ahmad al Harthy, the BMW racer is aiming to keep up the sparkling momentum this coming weekend as the 2024 season arrives at Spa-Francorchamps.
Not only one of Al Harthy’s favourite tracks, the Ardennes venue is a circuit where the Omani has enjoyed outstanding success in the past in GT3 racing with class victory at the Total 24 Hours of Spa as well as securing numerous other podiums and wins in GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup.
Fresh from a memorable second place finish last month in Italy with team-mates Maxime Martin and Valentino Rossi, where the buzz in the Team WRT garage and the Imola grandstands was absolutely electrifying, Al Harthy is determined to keep the impetus and challenge for more silverware at Spa.
Going in to race three of the FIA WEC season, which will take place this Saturday, May 11, the BMW M4 GT3 trio – currently fourth in the LMGT3 standings – are focusing on mounting a similarly strong bid to that delivered last time out.
As well as excellent pace and performance in race trim during the first two events of the season, Qatar and Italy, Al Harthy has also been very impressive in qualifying in his first season with BMW and will be absolutely determined to once again qualify for the all-important Hyperpole ‘shoot-out’.
Although a car issue limited the Omani to a single flying lap in qualifying in Qatar during the opening event of the campaign back in March, he was still able to make it through into the Hyperpole session and at Imola he secured a season-best third on the grid in LMGT3.
While confident round three of the FIA WEC season at Spa should be a positive event for Team WRT’s No 46 entry, Al Harthy – who is backed by prestigious partners OQ, Oman Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth, Omantel and BMW Oman – is well aware of the strength of opposition within LMGT3 and isn’t underestimating the challenge which awaits in Belgium.
Ahmad Al Harthy:
“Spa is such an amazing track and we’ve enjoyed so much success there over the years, it’s almost a second home for me in my racing career. I absolutely love competing at Spa and I really am looking forward to being there for the first time with BMW and the WRT guys, I know everyone is going to do a fantastic job as always.
“We come into the weekend off the back of an amazing result in Imola, it was a fantastic race and both Maxime and Vale did a really incredible job in the car. I was so happy with my performance in the first two hours, and we were strong in qualifying and Hyperpole as well, so I really do hope we can continue that momentum, continue to push and build on the great start to the season.”
Opening practice ahead of round three of the FIA WEC Season at Spa-Francorchamps will begin at 10.30 local time on May 9 with session two following at 16.30. On May 10, the third practice session will take place at 10.00 local time with qualifying beginning at 13.45.
The TotalEnergies 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps will follow on May11, with the race starting at 12.00 local time. Follow all of the action at www.fiawec.com
FIA World Endurance Championship LMGT3 Driver Standings (after Rd2)
4. Ahmad al Harthy / Maxime Martin / Valentino Rossi, 36 pts
Not only one of Al Harthy’s favourite tracks, the Ardennes venue is a circuit where the Omani has enjoyed outstanding success in the past in GT3 racing with class victory at the Total 24 Hours of Spa as well as securing numerous other podiums and wins in GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup.
Fresh from a memorable second place finish last month in Italy with team-mates Maxime Martin and Valentino Rossi, where the buzz in the Team WRT garage and the Imola grandstands was absolutely electrifying, Al Harthy is determined to keep the impetus and challenge for more silverware at Spa.
Going in to race three of the FIA WEC season, which will take place this Saturday, May 11, the BMW M4 GT3 trio – currently fourth in the LMGT3 standings – are focusing on mounting a similarly strong bid to that delivered last time out.
As well as excellent pace and performance in race trim during the first two events of the season, Qatar and Italy, Al Harthy has also been very impressive in qualifying in his first season with BMW and will be absolutely determined to once again qualify for the all-important Hyperpole ‘shoot-out’.
Although a car issue limited the Omani to a single flying lap in qualifying in Qatar during the opening event of the campaign back in March, he was still able to make it through into the Hyperpole session and at Imola he secured a season-best third on the grid in LMGT3.
While confident round three of the FIA WEC season at Spa should be a positive event for Team WRT’s No 46 entry, Al Harthy – who is backed by prestigious partners OQ, Oman Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth, Omantel and BMW Oman – is well aware of the strength of opposition within LMGT3 and isn’t underestimating the challenge which awaits in Belgium.
Ahmad Al Harthy:
“Spa is such an amazing track and we’ve enjoyed so much success there over the years, it’s almost a second home for me in my racing career. I absolutely love competing at Spa and I really am looking forward to being there for the first time with BMW and the WRT guys, I know everyone is going to do a fantastic job as always.
“We come into the weekend off the back of an amazing result in Imola, it was a fantastic race and both Maxime and Vale did a really incredible job in the car. I was so happy with my performance in the first two hours, and we were strong in qualifying and Hyperpole as well, so I really do hope we can continue that momentum, continue to push and build on the great start to the season.”
Opening practice ahead of round three of the FIA WEC Season at Spa-Francorchamps will begin at 10.30 local time on May 9 with session two following at 16.30. On May 10, the third practice session will take place at 10.00 local time with qualifying beginning at 13.45.
The TotalEnergies 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps will follow on May11, with the race starting at 12.00 local time. Follow all of the action at www.fiawec.com
FIA World Endurance Championship LMGT3 Driver Standings (after Rd2)
4. Ahmad al Harthy / Maxime Martin / Valentino Rossi, 36 pts