Tuesday 25 / February / 2025
Lusail International Circuit in Qatar is the host venue for the eagerly awaited opening round of the new FIA World Endurance Championship season this week, where Oman’s Ahmad Al Harthy is set to mount a major challenge in the LMGT3 class of the spectacular series.
The Qatar 1812km, which runs over a scheduled 10 hours, will take place this coming Friday, 28th February, and marks the beginning of Al Harthy’s second FIA WEC season as team-mate to global sporting icon Valentino Rossi in the No.46 BMW M4 LMGT3. Joining the pairing in the Team WRT run car this year is highly successful GT racer, South Africa’s Kelvin van der Linde.
Competitors took part in a two-day Prologue test in Lusail this past weekend where the striking new blue and yellow livery of the No.46 BMW M4 – which features Al Harthy’s key partners OQ Group, Sohar International, Omantel, BMW Oman, the Oman Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth and Experience Oman – broke cover.
Enjoying a good, consistent programme over the course of the Prologue, all thoughts and attention now turn to the start of free practice tomorrow, Wednesday, 26th February, ahead of qualifying on Thursday, 27th February.
After a strong first season with Team WRT and BMW last year in FIA WEC, where two podium finishes were achieved in LMGT3 on the way to sixth in the standings, Al Harthy is aiming much higher for the new campaign as he seeks to build significantly on the experience gained in 2024.
Moreover, the Bronze graded driver is thrilled to have such a talented pair of team-mates in silver graded Rossi and Platinum graded van der Linde. Equally, though, none are underestimating the immense level of competition in LMGT3 this season.
Having long been a loyal ambassador for Oman, Al Harthy was memorably awarded the Sultan’s Medal of Appreciation by His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tariq last year, a successful start to the new season in the Middle East would be a dream way to begin his 2025 challenge.
Ahmad Al Harthy:
“After a long winter we’re back in FIA World Endurance and absolutely ready to challenge as hard as we can in LMGT3. The car looks amazing in its new livery, it feels amazing to drive and, with a full season of experience of the car and the team from last year, I’m more confident we have a great package with which we can take the fight to a very competitive field.
“It’s going to be fantastic teaming with Vale and Kelvin this year, we’re all focused and determined to do the very best we can and we know we have an incredible team behind us at WRT. We won’t fully know where we are until qualifying begins later in the week, but we are looking forward to pushing for a good result to begin the new season.
“I always enjoy racing close to home in the Middle East, and we’re expecting a lot of support from friends and family, so hopefully we can make the start we all want and proudly fly the flag for Oman here in Qatar!”
Following two free practice sessions in Lusail tomorrow, a further free practice period will run on Thursday, 27th February, prior to qualifying at 17.00 local time. The Qatar 1812km itself will begin at 14.00 local time on Friday, 28th February.
