Hugely competitive first FIA WEC Podium of 2025 for Al Harthy, Rossi And Van Der Linde at Imola
FIA World Endurance Championship driver Ahmad Al Harthy celebrated his first podium finish of the 2025 campaign at Imola in Italy on Sunday, 20th April, as the Omani and team-mates Valentino Rossi and Kelvin van der Linde just missed LMGT3 victory by a mere 0.3 seconds after six hours of racing.
Starting the 6 Hours of Imola from a fantastic LMGT3 pole position, after a superb performance in qualifying and Hyperpole, the Team WRT squad rightly focused on challenging for the win and during an excellent double-stint from Al Harthy at the beginning the aim remained firmly on target.
Rossi was every bit as competitive during the middle phase of the race, but an unfortunate penalty linked to contact with a Ferrari with just over a couple of hours to go impacted their bid. With a huge amount to do from the tail of the top 10, van der Linde was electrifying during the closing stages and stormed back up into second place thanks to some inspired strategy calls as well from the team.
Thrilled to line-up on pole at the start of round two of the FIA WEC season, OQ Group, Sohar International, Omantel, Oman LNG, BMW Oman, Oman Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth and Experience Oman partnered racer Al Harthy launched well to keep the pack behind at bay.
The gap at the front ebbed and flowed during the early laps, as the Team WRT car and the chasing No.21 Vista AF Corse Ferrari 296 pulled clear of the next group. With 30 minutes complete the Omani's advantage stood at just over two seconds and although this was reduced later in the opening hour, the Ferrari managing to get ahead, Al Harthy's first pit-stop went as well as it could.
When the order shook-out the No.46 BMW was leading again and by an increased margin of six seconds, but after a Safety Car period in hour two the Ferrari again filled Al Harthy's mirrors. Stops were soon required once more and the majority of the field visited pitlane, while the Omani stayed on track before then pitting late in hour two from the lead.
Rossi climbed behind the wheel at the driver change and when the order settled he was third in LMGT3. After a Full Course Yellow period the Italian focused on pressuring the sister Team WRT BMW M4 and he duly passed to move into second place. Reducing the gap to the leading No.87 Akkodis ASP Team Lexus, when it pitted Rossi moved through with just over three hours to run.
In hour four, the bid for victory seemed all-but gone when a tangle between Rossi and the No.21 Ferrari at Rivazza ultimately led to a stop-go penalty for the No.46 BMW. South Africa's van der Linde had an unenviable task to try and battle back from the bottom end of the top 10 during his double stint at the end, but he and the team strategists rose to the challenge superbly.
Showing immense commitment, van der Linde scythed his way through back into the podium placings and after moving to second he piled pressure on the ultimately victorious No.92 Manthey 1ST Phorm Porsche 911 GT3 R during the closing stages. Swarming all over the Porsche, only 0.3 seconds was the difference at the chequered flag.
Ahmad Al Harthy:
'What a race! My stint was amazing, we were doing a lot to make sure we were in the right position for the final few hours of the race. Leading Imola for such a long time was tough and challenging, so I was really pleased to give Vale the car in P1. Due to what happened on the track things started moving around, it was definitely one of the most emotional races for all of us.
'At one point we were leading, at another point we're P10, and then to finish on the podium in P2 was an amazing result after an unbelievable recovery. That goes down to all of the drivers and the team for working incredible strategy calls at the right time. I'm really so glad to be on the podium, Imola has always been so good to me. Now we work for the next round at Spa.
'I want to say a huge thank you to all of my partners, all the people who believe in this project. This is what it's all about, we are on the podium steps of the FIA World Endurance Championship! It's sometimes hard for that to sink in and to realise what we've achieved.'
There are only three weeks to wait until the third round of the FIA World Endurance Championship, the TotalEnergies 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps, which will take place on Saturday, 10th May, at the world-famous Belgian circuit.
6 Hours of Imola LMGT3 Race Result:
1st Richard Lietz / Ryan Hardwick / Riccardo Pera
(Manthey 1ST Phorm / Porsche 911 GT3 R LMGT3)
2nd Ahmad Al Harthy / Valentino Rossi / Kelvin van der Linde
(Team WRT / BMW M4 LMGT3)
3rd Esteban Masson / Arnold Robin / Finn Gehrsitz
(Akkodis ASP Team / Lexus RC F LMGT3)
4th Jose Maria Lopez / Clemens Schmid / Petru Umbrarescu
(Akkodis ASP Team / Lexus RC F LMGT3)
5th Davide Rigon / Thomas Flohr / Francesco Castellacci
(Vista AF Corse / Ferrari 296 LMGT3)
6th Charlie Eastwood / Rui Andrade / Tom Van Rompuy
(TF Sport / Corvette Z06 LMGT3.R)
2025 FIA WEC LMGT3 Driver Standings (after Rd2):
1st Ben Keating / Daniel Juncadella / Jonny Edgar, 44pts
2nd Arnold Robin / Finn Gehrsitz, 33pts
3rd Gregoire Saucy / James Cottingham / Sebastien Baud, 27pts
6th Ahmad Al Harthy / Valentino Rossi / Kelvin van der Linde, 19pts
2025 FIA WEC LMGT3 Team Standings (after Rd2):
1st TF Sport (Corvette Z06 LMGT3.R), 44pts
2nd Akkodis ASP Team (Lexus RC F LMGT3), 33pts
3rd United Autosports (McLaren 720 S LMGT3 EVO), 27pts
6th Team WRT (BMW M4 LMGT3), 19pts
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Observer
2 days ago
- Observer
Omani fans shine in support of Red Warriors despite defeat
MUSCAT, MAY 6 Despite the defeat of the national team against Jordan on Thursday, the Omani fans once again proved that they are the key pillar in supporting the Red Warriors. As crowds flocked from various governorates of the Sultanate of Oman to support the team, the disappointment of the loss was palpable, though people were also looking forward to Eid Al Adha celebrations. The stadium witnessed a remarkable turnout, with the stands filled with fans waving flags and chanting slogans, reaffirming their unwavering support for the team on its journey towards World Cup. Despite the hot weather, the heat did not deter the crowds from arriving at the stadium early in the afternoon, with most of them breaking their fast in the stands after a long day of fasting on the Day of Arafah. The stadium management and the 'Kulna Ma'ak' (We Are All With You) campaign arranged water distribution points for the fans, along with an Iftar tent, which contributed to a positive atmosphere inside the stadium. Children were seen holding 'We Are All With You' banners and waving flags, adding to the festive atmosphere despite the disappointment of the result. This enthusiastic spirit from the fans came within the framework of the 'We Are All With You' campaign, launched by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth in cooperation with the Oman Football Association, aimed at supporting the national team in the final qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup. To ignite the fans' enthusiasm, the campaign distributed more than 20,000 Omani flags in the stands to paint the stadium in red, white and green, adding a festive touch despite the loss. This was complemented by a large banner raised by the fans before the start of the match, featuring a photo of a player from the Oman team with the phrase 'We Are All With You,' reflecting a message of unity and support. Omani fan Mohsen Ambusaidi, who came from the Wilayat of Nizwa, said, "The team's performance did not meet expectations. The team played well in the first half with two clear chances to score, but noticeably declined in the second half." Ambusaidi added, "Some fans left the stands after the second goal, due to a lack of confidence in the team's ability to come back. Omani fans deserve praise and appreciation, as they have never stopped supporting the team whether at home or abroad, despite all circumstances." "The fans who endured the journey to the capital, Muscat, despite the eve of Eid and fasting on the Day of Arafah, considering that these fans deserved acknowledgment from the players after the match. Unfortunately, none of the players or the coaching staff approached them to thank them after the disappointing result," he ended. Fan, Labid al Amri, who came from the Wilayat of Al Awabi, said "The national team did not deliver the required performance and squandered the chance for direct qualification." Al Amri added "The Omani fans have never lost hope in supporting the team under the toughest circumstances and the chance to qualify is still alive through the playoffs. As long as there's hope, we must all continue to support the team." Al Amri concluded "The upcoming match against Palestine will be a true final, as the winner will earn the chance to play in the World Cup playoffs, calling on Omani fans to support the team until the very last minute."
Observer
2 days ago
- Observer
Chelsea complete signing of Delap from Ipswich
LONDON: Chelsea have signed striker Liam Delap from Ipswich Town on a deal until until 2031 after triggering his £30million ($40.6 million) release clause. An agreement was reached between the clubs last week for the Englandunder-21 international, who becomes the Blues' first summer signing and can join immediately due to Fifa's 10-day June transfer window. That will enable him to take part in the upcoming Club World Cup in the United States, though if he travels with the team it will means he will miss the European Under-21 Championship in Slovakia. The 22-year-old said on the club's official website: "I understand the stature of this club and can see the trajectory it is on with these players and the head coach. "It's going to be an incredible place for me to develop and I hope to achieve amazing things here and help the club win more trophies." Chelsea reportedly fended off interest from Manchester United, with the lack of European football next season for the Old Trafford side understood to be a factor in the player's decision to pick west London. Enzo Maresca's side will play in the Champions League after finishing fourth in his first season in charge, the first time the club has qualified for Europe's top competition since 2022. Delap's signing means the pair will be reunited after working together with Manchester City's under-23 team while Maresca was in charge during the 2020/21 season, and latterly with the senior squad when the Italian was assistant to Pep Guardiola. Delap made only six first-team appearances for City, scoring once,before loan spells with Stoke, Preston and Hull. Despite Ipswich's relegation from the Premier League, which made his release clause active, he adapted quickly to the top flight by scoring 12 times in his first full season in the division — comfortably his best goal return — having spent most of his senior career in the Championship. Chelsea have been stretched thin in attack this season, with injuries to Nicolas Jackson and Marc Guiu leaving the team without a fit striker for periods of the campaign. Of those two, only Jackson has scored in the Premier League and the need for credible competition and support for the Senegal international has long been apparent. — PA Media/dpa
Observer
5 days ago
- Observer
Al Zubair takes Al Manar to Gold Cup victory
MONZA, Italy: Al Manar Racing by Team WRT's Al Faisal al Zubair, Jens Klingmann and Ben Tuck delivered another driving and strategic masterclass to finish fourth overall and first in the Gold Cup class at the second round of the GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup powered by AWS at Monza late on Sunday afternoon. Despite qualifying in seventh, the trio carried out their pit stop strategy perfectly and were able to move through the field during a yellow flag-interrupted three-hour race to finish fourth overall ahead of nine other rivals in the Gold Cup category in their BMW M4 GT3 EVO. It was another proud day for Al Zubair and the Sultanate of Oman in endurance racing. The Racing Aston Martin was a distant second overall and the Tresor Attempto Racing Audi rounded off the Gold Cup podium. A delighted Al Zubair said: 'I'm happy to clinch the win in the Gold Cup Category. Honestly, this is a dream come true. Especially because we started the race from seventh on the grid. But the strategy from Team WRT was excellent. We had the speed throughout the weekend, but in qualifying we faced some issues, particularly in Q3. 'Fourth position in the overall classification and winning the Gold Cup category, this was fantastic. I'm very proud to raise the Omani flag high. We are aiming to achieve even more.' From a start position of seventh in the Gold Cup category, Al Zubair held eighth until a full course yellow brought proceedings to a stop after around 20 minutes. The Garage 59 McLaren had the lead from the CSA Racing McLaren. Action resumed around the half-hour mark and Al Zubair made up a place to take seventh shortly afterwards. The Omani maintained his composure and was soon up to sixth with the Garage 59 McLaren continuing to lead from the Racing Aston Martin. Herberth Motorsport's Porsche was sidelined after 13 laps. Al Zubair retained sixth to another full course yellow with around 1hr 50min of the race remaining. The handover to Tuck was a good one and, when action resumed, Tuck held the lead from the Garage 59 McLaren and the Verstappen Aston. The leading six Gold Cup cars were tightly bunched but Tuck retained the lead through 48 laps with 68 minutes of the race remaining. The CSA Racing McLaren had fallen by the wayside after 36 laps. With less than an hour to run there was yet another full course yellow with Tuck still leading. Racing resumed under a green flag with 54 minutes to go and the final changeover to Klingmann was a successful one with the team retaining an advantage over the Aston Martin and the Optimum Motorsport McLaren. A seventh interruption to the race happened with 31 minutes to run and Klingmann holding the lead and a superb fourth overall. But it was a brief stoppage and the German retained his position, only for a yellow to halt the race for the eighth time with just three minutes left of the 84-lap race. Al Manar Racing by Team WRT carried out a short unofficial test session on Friday with Al Zubair posting a best lap of 1min 46.840sec. Free practice took place on Saturday morning for the 10-car field and the fastest lap of the session went to the Nordique Racing Mercedes in the hands of Japan's Kotaka Kazuko. Tuck's best run for the Al Manar Racing by Team WRT operation was 1min 46.345sec and that put the BMW M4 in the middle of the group in fifth. Pre-qualifying saw the Al Manar Racing BMW down in a subdued eighth with a best lap of 1min 46.694sec in a session won by the Racing Aston Martin. Klingmann carded a best run of 1min 46.101sec in the first of the two qualifying sessions to put the BMW in sixth of the Gold Cup runners. Tuck ran a 1min 45.826sec lap in Q2 and Al Zubair finished his Q3 stint with a best lap of 1min 46.848sec. With the times collated from the three qualifying stints, the Al Manar Racing by Team WRT BMW lined up on the grid in seventh with pole position falling to the Garage 59 McLaren from the CSA Racing McLaren and the Racing Aston Martin. Action in the 2025 GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup powered by AWS resumes with the prestigious Crowdstrike 24 Hours of Spa on June 25th-29th.
