Al Harthy, Van Der Linde and Rossi to start third on LMGT3 grid
Le Mans, France – Oman's Ahmad Al Harthy and team-mates Kelvin van der Linde and Valentino Rossi combined to deliver a superb performance throughout qualifying for the weekend's 24 Hours of Le Mans, the trio's No.46 BMW M4 LMGT3 set to line-up third on the grid for the biggest race of the year.
Al Harthy got things off to an outstanding start in the main qualifying session on Wednesday, 11th June, where he emerged quickest of all in the LMGT3 class to comfortably progress the Team WRT entry into the first of two Hyperpole shoot-out sessions on Thursday, 12th June.
South African driver van der Linde picked up the baton perfectly and continued in the same vein as Al Harthy, lapping fastest in Hyperpole 1 to ensure the BMW would start a minimum of eighth on the grid for the twice-round-the-clock race – round four of the FIA World Endurance Championship.
Rossi got behind the wheel for the decisive Hyperpole 2, straight after the first of the shoot-outs, and the Italian's initial true flying lap was ultimately his best of the session as he concluded the run third in LMGT3.
With red flag stoppages impacting qualifying and the first Hyperpole, drivers needed to maintain steely focus and determination to conquer the immense 8.47-mile Circuit de la Sarthe and OQ Group, Sohar International, Omantel, Oman LNG, BMW Oman, Oman Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth and Experience Oman supported racer Al Harthy – and the entire team – certainly did that.
'I was extremely delighted to have put our car on pole in the first qualifying, to do it here in Le Mans was extra, extra special. To be able to maximise everything we could from the car was a huge motivation for everybody in the team,' said Al Harthy.
'Then, into Hyperpole, and Kelvin did an outstanding job in session one, it was a strategic decision to put him in that session and to be pole again was amazing.
'For Vale to get the car in the top three in Hyperpole 2, for sure, is far beyond what we expected – he got a really, really mega lap. This is just the first part of everything but, obviously, it's always good to have a good starting position for a 24 Hour race. I'm really proud of everyone in the team, it was a fantastic team effort right across qualifying. Now we focus on the race!'
Brilliant showing from Team WRT trio confirms Le Mans potential
Opening qualifying on Wednesday produced a sparkling performance from Al Harthy, who was in outstanding form. Initially topping the times on his first proper lap, the Omani was second with just under 10 minutes of the half-hour session elapsed, and he held fifth midway through when red flags were flown.
Determined to piece together a great lap after the resumption and challenge for the fastest time, he steered the No.46 BMW M4 to a lap of 3m56.875 seconds, which placed him on top by four tenths of a second to smoothly progress to Hyperpole as the fastest of the lead 12 contenders.
In Hyperpole 1 van der Linde posted a time of 3m55.855 seconds just moments before red flags were shown. After the resumption, he improved to 3m54.530 seconds, topping LMGT3, and on his final lap he shaved another two tenths off to conclude the session quickest with 3m54.345 seconds.
Rossi climbed into the driving seat for the 15-minute Hyperpole 2 and his first competitive lap was a time of 3m54.966 seconds, placing him third. Ultimately, this was the Italian's best of the session as he secured a terrific third on the grid for, arguably, the biggest event in four-wheeled motorsport.
There is a day away from track action now at the Circuit de la Sarthe ahead of the start of this year's 24 Hours of Le Mans on Saturday, 14th June. Warm-up will take place at 12.00 local time before the race itself starts at 16.00. Follow the action at www.fiawec.com or www.24h-lemans.com
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Times of Oman
42 minutes ago
- Times of Oman
Dream of 24hrs of Le Mans win ends for Oman's Ahmad Al Harthy
Muscat: Faultless driving, top strategy and a very quick BMW M4 LMGT3 were not enough to deliver what looked likely to be a bid for a dream victory at this year's 24 Hours of Le Mans for Ahmad Al Harthy and Team WRT – electrical problems in the early hours of Sunday, 15th June, forcing retirement. Oman's Al Harthy and team-mates Valentino Rossi and Kelvin van der Linde had delivered an incredible performance throughout the first half of the twice-round-the-clock encounter at the eight-plus mile Circuit de la Sarthe in France, with LMGT3 silverware well within their grasp. Sadly, though, and for the second year in succession, the 24 Hours of Le Mans ended in misfortune for Al Harthy and Team WRT, having led the class or been inside the top two for the most part since lights-out at 16.00 local time on Saturday, 14th June. After qualifying an excellent third on the grid for the biggest race of the season, round four of the FIA World Endurance Championship, the team choose to begin the 24 Hours with van der Linde and he very quickly climbed into second in LMGT3 close behind the leader. Van der Linde remained in touch in the No.46 BMW M4 and after the initial pit-stops, the South African was back up to second. Oman's Al Harthy climbed behind the wheel for his first miles of the race in hour two and was within less than four seconds of the LMGT3 lead with one hour and 45 minutes elapsed. After another stop, Al Harthy moved up into the lead and he then began to build his advantage, driving faultlessly. Just over three hours into the race the Omani, who is supported by prestigious partners OQ Group, Sohar International, Omantel, Oman LNG, BMW Oman, Oman Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth and Experience Oman, led by around 25 seconds. Half an hour later the lead was up to roughly 60 seconds, before handing over to Rossi for his first stint of the race. Holding second place initially, the Italian was every bit as competitive as his two team-mates and he soon moved the No.46 BMW back into first place in LMGT3. One quarter of the way through the race, 22.00 local time, van der Linde was back behind the wheel and held an advantage of 14 seconds at that stage. Just before 23.00, with 100 racing laps in the book, he remained at the front with a buffer of half-a-minute over the nearest rival. The entire race strategy from Team WRT was working like clockwork as midnight neared. Around three hours later, though, the squad's tremendous challenge for a dream victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans came to an end when the car ground to a halt – seemingly with no power. After being recovered back to the pits, it was discovered electrical problems were the cause. Moreover, the issue was irreparable at the track in the time available. Ahmad Al Harthy said: 'Being in the first two positions for the majority of the nine to 10 hours we were racing definitely got us thinking of the possibility of an amazing result. I think how we were able to push the entire time showed we would have been competitive at the end of the race. Unfortunately, though, an electrics issue forced us to retire the car. 'This is what we know about racing, especially at the highest level like Le Mans, and we accept it. Things like this make you appreciate the achievements when you get them. The entire team did an amazing job right throughout the week at Le Mans, across all sessions, and the performance we showed in qualifying was a real highlight personally. We showed in the race what we're capable of, so now we look to bounce back in Brazil. Thank you to everyone for the amazing support.' Round five of the FIA World Endurance Championship takes place four weeks from now, over the weekend 12th/13th July, with the Rolex 6 Hours of Sao Paulo at Interlagos in Brazil.
Muscat Daily
2 days ago
- Muscat Daily
Beyond the finish line: Al Harthy's journey of pride and passion at Le Mans
Le Mans, France – As the world turns its eyes to the Circuit de la Sarthe this weekend, Oman's very own Ahmad al Harthy returns to the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans for a third time – this year behind the wheel of the BMW M4 GT3 with Team WRT. With a Le Mans podium already under his belt and growing support from BMW Oman, BMW Middle East, and national partners, Al Harthy continues to fly the Omani flag high on the global motorsport stage. BMW Group Middle East caught up with him ahead of this year's race to talk preparation, passion, and national pride. Ahmad (al Harthy), you're returning to Le Mans for the third time. What does this race mean to you personally, and how does it feel to represent Oman on one of motorsport's biggest stages? First of all, coming back here for the third time is very emotional. To be able to race and represent Oman, the GCC, and everyone from the Arab world is a very proud moment for me. Le Mans is something I've been following since childhood. To me, it's the greatest 24-hour race on the planet. More importantly, it's a place where I truly enjoy racing and driving around, and I'm looking forward to this third experience. From your first Le Mans podium in 2023 to now racing in the ultra-competitive LMGT3 category with BMW, how have you evolved as a driver – technically, physically and mentally? Absolutely. It couldn't have started any better for me. Finishing on the podium in my first-ever 24-hour race was unbelievable, and I still get goosebumps when I think about it. The race was filled with so much emotion. Coming into 2024, my first race with BMW here was going well, but unfortunately, the weather affected us. We feel we have unfinished business, which makes us even more determined and hungry. As a driver, every time you compete in these events, you mature and gain a deeper understanding. I've had quite a few 24-hour race experiences, but Le Mans is always different. When you ask if I'm ready, physically, yes; mentally, it's the challenging part. Ahmad, what is the first thing you think of when you sit behind the wheel of your BMW M4 LMGT3, especially at Le Mans? That's a tough question. The first thing is realising how blessed I am to share the track with some truly iconic names in motorsport. I often reflect on my early days in motorsport, and it fills me with emotions. I also get excited by the speed because it presents a massive challenge. You hear sounds and see things that you don't experience at any other racetrack in the world. I have certain spiritual rituals that I perform for all race weekends, and it's the same in that sense. This is my third 24-hour race, but I have competed at the 'Road to Le Mans' in 2017 and 2019, and I was fortunate enough to stand on the podium three out of four attempts. I feel that this race has been very kind to me, and I hope to continue that streak in 2025. Endurance racing is a team sport, what has the chemistry been like with your WRT teammates, including Valentino Rossi and Kelvin Van Der Linde, heading into this year's race? You mentioned a very important point: teamwork. For us to win and achieve great results at any endurance weekend, it's all about teamwork. It's not just about the three drivers; it involves everything from the pit crew to the engineering and support teams. Everyone must be on the same page. The harmony we share at Team WRT is something unique compared to many other teams on the grid. We spend a lot of time together; we are like a family away from home. It's not just about seeing each other in the race car; it's what happens behind the scenes. This closeness allows us to operate at a much higher level. Endurance racing is a long journey, and while it may feel like a sprint, you don't always need the fastest drivers to achieve the best results. You need drivers who can work together. We complement each other and focus on making the car the fastest, rather than just one driver. You've had strong backing from BMW Oman throughout your journey. How important has that local support been in helping you compete at the highest level of endurance racing? When we first announced our move to BMW, it was an exciting partnership. BMW's support on and off the racetrack means a lot to me. I'm proud to be an ambassador for the brand, and I've been a fan since I was young. Having a manufacturer support you from your home country in the Middle East is something I take great pride in. Now, over a year and a half into the BMW family, I'm starting to speak the same language. It's exciting to share my experiences with customers and M Clubs members, as well as M enthusiasts, discussing not just racing but also car performance and the emotional connection we have with the cars. I believe it's important for them to truly enjoy their cars in a controlled environment, like a racetrack. What message would you like to share with young Arab and Omani athletes watching your journey — especially those dreaming of competing internationally? The main message is that in motorsports, there are no shortcuts. We would love to see more Arab drivers coming through the ranks. We have some of the best circuits in the world, and it's time to develop these drivers correctly without taking shortcuts. To reach Le Mans, you must come through the ranks, and I hope my presence here creates a path for that. I want to motivate the younger generation to believe that they can be here and achieve their dreams. It takes time, and we need to understand that these things cannot be accomplished overnight. It's a tricky formula, but it's worth it. You're inspiring a lot of people. We know it wasn't an easy journey for you to reach where you are now, and we appreciate that. We are so proud of you and wish you all the best of luck. Thank you! I give it everything I have. I want to use this opportunity to thank my family for believing in me and supporting me. It takes a family to support your dreams and to go through all the ups and downs over the years. I also want to thank everyone who has supported me, including BMW Oman, BMW Middle East, all my sponsors, and government organizations. Even those who may not be with us now played a crucial role in planting the seeds for this journey. I'm grateful for all the support.
Muscat Daily
2 days ago
- Muscat Daily
Al Harthy, Van Der Linde and Rossi to start third on LMGT3 grid
Le Mans, France – Oman's Ahmad Al Harthy and team-mates Kelvin van der Linde and Valentino Rossi combined to deliver a superb performance throughout qualifying for the weekend's 24 Hours of Le Mans, the trio's No.46 BMW M4 LMGT3 set to line-up third on the grid for the biggest race of the year. Al Harthy got things off to an outstanding start in the main qualifying session on Wednesday, 11th June, where he emerged quickest of all in the LMGT3 class to comfortably progress the Team WRT entry into the first of two Hyperpole shoot-out sessions on Thursday, 12th June. South African driver van der Linde picked up the baton perfectly and continued in the same vein as Al Harthy, lapping fastest in Hyperpole 1 to ensure the BMW would start a minimum of eighth on the grid for the twice-round-the-clock race – round four of the FIA World Endurance Championship. Rossi got behind the wheel for the decisive Hyperpole 2, straight after the first of the shoot-outs, and the Italian's initial true flying lap was ultimately his best of the session as he concluded the run third in LMGT3. With red flag stoppages impacting qualifying and the first Hyperpole, drivers needed to maintain steely focus and determination to conquer the immense 8.47-mile Circuit de la Sarthe and OQ Group, Sohar International, Omantel, Oman LNG, BMW Oman, Oman Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth and Experience Oman supported racer Al Harthy – and the entire team – certainly did that. 'I was extremely delighted to have put our car on pole in the first qualifying, to do it here in Le Mans was extra, extra special. To be able to maximise everything we could from the car was a huge motivation for everybody in the team,' said Al Harthy. 'Then, into Hyperpole, and Kelvin did an outstanding job in session one, it was a strategic decision to put him in that session and to be pole again was amazing. 'For Vale to get the car in the top three in Hyperpole 2, for sure, is far beyond what we expected – he got a really, really mega lap. This is just the first part of everything but, obviously, it's always good to have a good starting position for a 24 Hour race. I'm really proud of everyone in the team, it was a fantastic team effort right across qualifying. Now we focus on the race!' Brilliant showing from Team WRT trio confirms Le Mans potential Opening qualifying on Wednesday produced a sparkling performance from Al Harthy, who was in outstanding form. Initially topping the times on his first proper lap, the Omani was second with just under 10 minutes of the half-hour session elapsed, and he held fifth midway through when red flags were flown. Determined to piece together a great lap after the resumption and challenge for the fastest time, he steered the No.46 BMW M4 to a lap of 3m56.875 seconds, which placed him on top by four tenths of a second to smoothly progress to Hyperpole as the fastest of the lead 12 contenders. In Hyperpole 1 van der Linde posted a time of 3m55.855 seconds just moments before red flags were shown. After the resumption, he improved to 3m54.530 seconds, topping LMGT3, and on his final lap he shaved another two tenths off to conclude the session quickest with 3m54.345 seconds. Rossi climbed into the driving seat for the 15-minute Hyperpole 2 and his first competitive lap was a time of 3m54.966 seconds, placing him third. Ultimately, this was the Italian's best of the session as he secured a terrific third on the grid for, arguably, the biggest event in four-wheeled motorsport. There is a day away from track action now at the Circuit de la Sarthe ahead of the start of this year's 24 Hours of Le Mans on Saturday, 14th June. Warm-up will take place at 12.00 local time before the race itself starts at 16.00. Follow the action at or
