ABU DHABI: Aston Martin Vantage GT3 racer Ahmad al Harthy produced a typically fast, committed and determined performance during round three of the Asian Le Mans Series at Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi on Saturday, on the way to matching a season-best top five finish.
Oman Racing’s Al Harthy, plus team-mates Charlie Eastwood and Sam De Haan, challenged hard for a deserved GT class podium finish but a red flag stoppage 90 minutes into the four-hour encounter, plus a series of Full Course Yellow cautionary periods, worked contrary to the team’s strategy.
Fifth place though, added to sixth and fifth place results in rounds one and two last weekend at Dubai Autodrome, continues the Oman entry’s consistent 2022 campaign in ALMS unabated – and Al Harthy is determined to sign-off the championship on a high today with a challenge for silverware in the fourth and final round.
“We had really good pace, the car was amazing”, said the Omantel, OQ and MHS-ITICS backed Omani. “Unfortunately the Safety Car, Red Flag and Full Course Yellows limited us from reaching the podium, but there are so many positives to take into race two. I’m absolutely happy with my pace in the car, Sam’s initial start was really strong and Charlie’s ending was really strong as well.
“We’re really happy to be in Abu Dhabi and really happy to show our true pace. If everything goes to plan, which obviously isn’t always that easy with so much out of your control, we should have a good result in the final round and that’s what we’re hoping for.”
He added: “P5 is very respectable, especially out of a big and very strong grid, and being the fastest Aston Martin again as well. We’re working extremely hard and the team is doing an amazing job to make sure we’re as competitive as we can be.”
Aston Martin ‘factory’ driver Eastwood qualified the No 69 car a strong fourth fastest for the round three GT class grid, but De Haan took the opening stint of the first Abu Dhabi race and put together a superb opening lap.
Storming through into second in GT, the Briton was shuffled back to eighth during a very tight battle around 15 minutes into the race but then mounted a great fightback. Prior to a Full Course Yellow cautionary period at the half-hour mark, De Haan had moved back into the top four and he then pitted to hand over the Oman Racing car to Al Harthy after another FCY late in the first hour.
Al Harthy climbed behind the wheel for hour two and the multiple GT endurance racing champion had plenty of work to do from 15th position in class. Lapping quickly and consistently, the Omani began to slice his way through the order before the action was then halted midway through his stint due to a car fire for a rival entry and oil on the track.
When racing resumed, Al Harthy held seventh in GT and with 90 minutes of the race to go he had moved back through into the top four as another round of pit-stops began to unfold. He then pitted to hand over the Aston Martin to Eastwood with around one hour to run.
Initially holding eighth place, Eastwood was seventh with 50 minutes to go and then sixth with just 40 minutes left on the clock. Working his way into fourth, with the sun setting over Abu Dhabi, one final stop had to be served and so he slipped back to seventh place. Climbing into fifth during the last 10 minutes, Eastwood ensured the Oman Racing entry was the highest placed Aston at the flag.
The fourth and final round of the Asian Le Mans Series will take place at 16.30 local time today, at Yas Marina Circuit, with live streaming online here: https://live.asianlemansseries.com/en/
Provisional 2022 Asian Le Mans Series GT Class Standings (after Rd3)
6th Ahmad Al Harthy/Charlie Eastwood/Sam De Haan, 28pts
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