Latest news with #BMWM4LMGT3
Times of Oman
06-05-2025
- Automotive
- Times of Oman
Oman's Al Harthy Belgium-Bound as FIA WEC Season continues at Spa-Francorchamps
Spa-Francorchamps, venue for some of Ahmad Al Harthy's most spectacular achievements in motor racing, welcomes the FIA World Endurance Championship for round three of the season this coming Saturday, 10th May, where the Omani aims to continue his and Team WRT's podium momentum. Fresh from a near-victory at Imola in Italy less than three weeks ago, where team-mate Kelvin van der Linde took the chequered flag a mere 0.3 seconds shy of the race win, the duo and fellow Team WRT racer Valentino Rossi are focused on trying to go one better at Spa. Imola very much marked the true start of the 2025 season for the No.46 BMW M4 LMGT3 entry with a spectacular performance – Al Harthy fastest by some margin in qualifying and Rossi then sealing pole position in Hyperpole. In the fight for victory throughout, an unfortunate penalty threatened to derail the squad's podium challenge but an outstanding final stint from van der Linde brought the BMW back through the order superbly to second place, a fraction from the win. Rocketing up the championship standings into the LMGT3 top six as a result, only eight points shy of the top three, the goal in Belgium is to continue the high level of performance in the TotalEnergies 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps to solidify their 2025 championship challenge. Not only that, there is a clear desire for some redemption too after an unfortunate retirement from last year's encounter at Spa. Contact from one of the Hypercar class Porsches midway through hour two ended the BMW's involvement while in the battle for the LMGT3 podium. Historically, of course, OQ Group, Sohar International, Omantel, Oman LNG, BMW Oman, Oman Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth and Experience Oman supported racer Al Harthy has a strong affinity with Spa-Francorchamps having enjoyed tremendous success there. Unquestionably his career highlight at the track to date was Pro-Am class victory in the Total 24 Hours of Spa in 2019 in the GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup, then known as the Blancpain Endurance Cup. All achieved from a pitlane start! Ahmad Al Harthy: 'We're all looking forward to continuing the FIA WEC season at Spa this weekend, Imola was an amazing event and really did kick-start our championship. Everyone at Team WRT did an incredible job, Vale and Kelvin were super quick as always and I was so happy with my performance in both qualifying and the race. 'What can you say about Spa that hasn't already been said? It's an incredible track, one of the best in the world, and we have enjoyed so much success there over the years. I've always loved racing at Spa, the track is an amazing challenge and it's one of those places were I have always seemed to go well. After being so close to the win at Imola, we're aiming to fight just as hard again this weekend.' Practice at Spa begins on Thursday, 8th May, with the opening two sessions ahead of session three on Friday, 9th May, and then qualifying at 14:40 local time – Hyperpole following straight after. On Saturday, 10th May, the TotalEnergies 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps will begin at 14:00 local time. Follow live at 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
Observer
21-04-2025
- Automotive
- Observer
Ahmad and Co earn first FIA WEC podium of 2025
• Pole qualifying Team WRT squad just misses LMGT3 win in Italy by 0.3s • Oman's Ahmad al Harthy sets up possible victory with superb double-stint • Stunning final hour from Kelvin van der Linde almost delivers Rd2 success • No 46 BMW M4 LMGT3 team-mates climb to sixth in class championship IMOLA, Italy: FIA World Endurance Championship driver Ahmad al Harthy celebrated his first podium finish of the 2025 campaign at Imola in Italy on Sunday, April 20, 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, 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, May 10, at the world-famous Belgian circuit. 6 Hours of Imola LMGT3 Race Result: 1. Richard Lietz / Ryan Hardwick / Riccardo Pera (Manthey 1ST Phorm / Porsche 911 GT3 R LMGT3) 2. Ahmad al Harthy / Valentino Rossi / Kelvin van der Linde (Team WRT / BMW M4 LMGT3) 3. Esteban Masson / Arnold Robin / Finn Gehrsitz (Akkodis ASP Team / Lexus RC F LMGT3) 4. Jose Maria Lopez / Clemens Schmid / Petru Umbrarescu (Akkodis ASP Team / Lexus RC F LMGT3) 5. Davide Rigon / Thomas Flohr / Francesco Castellacci (Vista AF Corse / Ferrari 296 LMGT3) 6. Charlie Eastwood / Rui Andrade / Tom Van Rompuy (TF Sport / Corvette Z06 LMGT3.R) 2025 FIA WEC LMGT3 Driver Standings (after Rd2): 1. Ben Keating / Daniel Juncadella / Jonny Edgar, 44 pts 2. Arnold Robin / Finn Gehrsitz, 33 pts 3. Gregoire Saucy / James Cottingham / Sebastien Baud, 27 pts 6. Ahmad al Harthy / Valentino Rossi / Kelvin van der Linde, 19 pts 2025 FIA WEC LMGT3 Team Standings (after Rd2): 1. TF Sport (Corvette Z06 LMGT3.R), 44 pts 2. Akkodis ASP Team (Lexus RC F LMGT3), 33 pts 3. United Autosports (McLaren 720 S LMGT3 EVO), 27 pts 6. Team WRT (BMW M4 LMGT3), 19 pts
Muscat Daily
20-04-2025
- Automotive
- Muscat Daily
Dominant first pole of FIA WEC season for Al Harthy and Rossi
Muscat – Ahmad al Harthy and Team WRT teammate Valentino Rossi combined perfectly to deliver a sensational first LMGT3 class pole position of the FIA World Endurance Championship season at Imola in Italy on Saturday, ahead of Sunday's second race of the 2025 campaign. Omani racer Al Harthy took the main qualifying session at the Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari and was exceptional throughout, ultimately recording the provisional pole position time of 1m42.731 seconds to ensure the No.46 BMW M4 LMGT3 progressed to the all-important Hyperpole. Italian hero Rossi took over the car for the second session, and he produced a best of 1m42.355 seconds to seal the class pole position for today's 6 Hours of Imola, sparking electrifying celebrations among his home fans. 'I'm absolutely delighted with pole, first being fastest in my session and then Valentino fastest in Hyperpole here in Italy,' said Al Harthy. It's fantastic to achieve our first pole position with BMW and WRT in FIA WEC and it's obviously the best place to start the race, I really am delighted. 'Thank you for all of the amazing support we have, our incredible partners, this pole is the first step in us trying to accomplish the results we are all aiming for on the track. I'm really looking forward to the race, Imola is an old school circuit so we do have to be careful and make sure we have the best execution possible,' he added. Quick from the off in the first two free practice runs on Friday, the Team WRT trio of Al Harthy, Rossi and Kelvin van der Linde ended session one third fastest with a lap of 1m43.453 seconds. Carrying that level of performance through to session two, the No.46 BMW was third again with an improved 1m43.186 seconds, only 0.2 seconds shy of the top. Following the third practice on Saturday morning, where the team ended sixth fastest, OQ Group, Sohar International, Omantel, Oman LNG, BMW Oman, Oman Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth and Experience Oman supported racer Al Harthy prepared for the short 12 minute qualifying session with the clear aim of trying to progress the car to the subsequent Hyperpole. Immediately pumping in good pace, Al Harthy went fastest on his first full lap with a time of 1m48.984 seconds and the next time around – his first true flyer – the Omani smashed his previous time with a lap of 1m43.718 seconds to remain on top. Quicker still he lowered his best to a 1m43.032 seconds lap,before then dipping below the 1m43 second barrier with a tremendous effort of 1m42.731 seconds to completely dominate the session and end qualifying some 0.7 seconds clear. Rossi took over from Al Harthy for the 10-minute Hyperpole session and he went to the top of the times with his first lap of 1m43.836 seconds, before then slicing eight tenths of a second off his previous best to remain fastest with a time of 1m43.011 seconds. Slipping to fourth with just three minutes to run, Rossi made a final push and delivered a fantastic 1m42.355 seconds to take pole.
Times of Oman
20-04-2025
- Automotive
- Times of Oman
Dominant first pole position of FIA WEC season for Al Harthy and Rossi
Ahmad Al Harthy and Team WRT team-mate Valentino Rossi combined perfectly to deliver a sensational first LMGT3 class pole position of the FIA World Endurance Championship season at Imola in Italy on Saturday, 19th April, ahead of today's second race of the 2025 campaign. Omani racer Al Harthy took the main qualifying session at the Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari and was exceptional throughout, ultimately recording the provisional pole position time of 1m42.731 seconds to ensure the No.46 BMW M4 LMGT3 progressed to the all-important Hyperpole. Italian hero Rossi took over the car for the second session and he produced a best of 1m42.355 seconds to seal the class pole position for today's 6 Hours of Imola, sparking electrifying celebrations among his home fans. Quick from the off in the first two free practice runs on Friday, 18th April, the Team WRT trio of Al Harthy, Rossi and Kelvin van der Linde ended session one third fastest with a lap of 1m43.453 seconds. Carrying that level of performance through to session two, the No.46 BMW was third again with an improved 1m43.186 seconds, only 0.2 seconds shy of the top. Following the third practice on Saturday morning, where the team ended sixth fastest, OQ Group, Sohar International, Omantel, Oman LNG, BMW Oman, Oman Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth and Experience Oman supported racer Al Harthy prepared for the short 12 minute qualifying session with the clear aim of trying to progress the car to the subsequent Hyperpole. Immediately pumping in good pace, Al Harthy went fastest on his first full lap with a time of 1m48.984 seconds and the next time around – his first true flyer – the Omani smashed his previous time with a lap of 1m43.718 seconds to remain on top. Quicker still he lowered his best to a 1m43.032 seconds lap, before then dipping below the 1m43 second barrier with a tremendous effort of 1m42.731 seconds to completely dominate the session and end qualifying some 0.7 seconds clear. Rossi took over from Al Harthy for the 10-minute Hyperpole session and he went to the top of the times with his first lap of 1m43.836 seconds, before then slicing eight tenths of a second off his previous best to remain fastest with a time of 1m43.011 seconds. Slipping to fourth with just three minutes to run, Rossi made a final push and delivered a fantastic 1m42.355 seconds to take pole. Ahmad Al Harthy said, 'I'm absolutely delighted with pole, first being fastest in my session and then Valentino fastest in Hyperpole here in Italy. It's fantastic to achieve our first pole position with BMW and WRT in FIA WEC and it's obviously the best place to start the race, I really am delighted. 'Thank you for all of the amazing support we have, our incredible partners, this pole is the first step in us trying to accomplish the results we are all aiming for on the track. I'm really looking forward to the race, Imola is an old school circuit so we do have to be careful and make sure we have the best execution possible.'
Observer
16-04-2025
- Automotive
- Observer
Oman LNG partners with world endurance racer Al Harthy
MUSCAT: International racing driver Ahmad al Harthy is delighted to welcome Oman LNG as the newest member of his prestigious partner portfolio, confirming a key association ahead of this weekend's second round of the FIA World Endurance Championship. Al Harthy, who is proudly flying the flag for Oman once again in 2025 in the globe's biggest motor racing series of its kind with Team WRT and BMW, has agreed an important partnership with Oman LNG – which was established by Royal Decree in 1994 for the production of liquefied natural gas. Based in Qalhat, near Sur, Oman LNG prides itself on corporate social responsibility with a major focus on integrity and professionalism, values all shared wholeheartedly by multiple FIA World Endurance Championship LMGT3 podium finisher Al Harthy. Additionally, the Omani – who is partnered with Italian global sporting icon Valentino Rossi and South Africa's Kelvin van der Linde in the No 46 BMW M4 LMGT3 in FIA WEC – shares Oman LNG's guiding principles around teamwork, accountability, respect and empowerment. Oman LNG Ahmad Through the new partnership, Oman LNG will reach a global audience as Al Harthy races across the world from Europe to Brazil, the USA to Japan. Notably, of course, the season finale in November will take place in Bahrain in the Middle East. Helping to promote the company's work internationally, Oman LNG joins a prestigious group of partners associated with Al Harthy. Hamed al Naamany, Chief Executive Officer Oman LNG: 'Oman LNG is proud to partner with Omani motor racing champion Ahmad al Harthy as he represents the Sultanate of Oman on the global stage. This partnership reflects our unwavering commitment to supporting national talent and promoting excellence in sports. 'As Ahmad competes in the prestigious FIA World Endurance Championship across key international arenas, we stand firmly behind him and look forward to seeing the Omani flag fly high through his remarkable achievements.' Ahmad al Harthy: 'I'm really delighted to be partnering with Oman LNG, this is an incredibly important new and prestigious partnership with great synergies between us – not least the focus we all place on integrity, teamwork and corporate social responsibility. We will be racing in some key markets for Oman LNG where the aim will be to share and enjoy some great successes together.'
