Wednesday 03 / September / 2025
Almost two months since he was last in race action in the FIA World Endurance Championship, Oman's Ahmad Al Harthy is raring to go for the assumption of the season this weekend, 6th/7th September, at the Circuit of the Americas in the USA.
Criss-crossing the globe once more, the previous round having been at Interlagos in Brazil, Al Harty is very much looking forward to only his second ever visit to the Texan track where he has unfinished business from last year in the six-hour 'Lone Star Le Mans'.
On his maiden visit to COTA in 2024, the Omani and fellow Team WRT racer Valentino Rossi – plus then team-mate Maxime Martin – were cruelly denied a possible podium, and certain top four finish in LMGT3, just a quarter of an hour before the checkered flag. After battling through into contention for deserved silverware from 15th on the grid, power steering failure ended the bid.
Knowing how strong the squad's competitiveness and team performance was last season in the USA, the current No.46 BMW M4 LMGT3 line-up of Al Harty, Rossi and Kelvin van der Linde is taking a good level of optimism into round six of the FIA WEC campaign.
The trio is more determined than ever to get back to podium ways after a challenging run of late, with difficulties out of the squad's control impacting recent races. At the blue riband Le Mans 24 Hours in June, where the team had run inside the LMGT3 top two for the first half of the race, an electrical fault ultimately led to retirement to steal the chance of possible victory.
Last time out in Brazil the squad did achieve a top 10 points return through a very well executed race, despite the package's competitiveness not being as desired. Nevertheless, perfect teamwork and excellent stints from Al Harty, Rossi and van der Linde helped bring some reward – a result the Omani said was the most they could realistically have achieved.
Now the focus is on this weekend's race in Austin, Texas, where Al Harthy – supported as always by key partners OQ Group, Sohar International, Omantel, Oman LNG, BMW Oman, Oman Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth and Experience Oman – hopes the team can begin on the front foot and ultimately produce the goods. One thing is for sure, there is certainly no lack of determination.
Ahmad Al Harthy:
"It's great to be back in America and we've come here with a positive frame of mind. We've had some disappointments recently and a few things out of our control so we are all very determined to get back in among the fight for the podium at COTA. Last year's race went incredibly well, up until the steering issue right at the end, so we're focused on trying to fight for the podium once again.
“From a personal perspective, I was very happy with my driving, pace and performance on my debut at COTA last season. All things being equal, I think we have a very good chance to do well in Sunday’s race and I know all of the guys at WRT will do everything they can to give us the package we need. It’s a great track, very unique, and I hope we can deliver a result for everyone back home in Oman.”
Opening free practice takes place on Friday, 5th September, with two 90-minute sessions ahead of a further practice hour on Saturday, 6th September. Qualifying then follows on Saturday afternoon, Central time in America, at 15.00 with Hyperpole straight after. The race itself, the six-hour Lone Star Le Mans, will begin at 13.00 local time on Sunday, 7th September.
The action can be followed through www.fiawec.com
2025 FIA WEC LMGT3 Driver Standings (after Rd5):
1st Riccardo Pera / Richard Lietz / Ryan Hardwick, 89pts
2nd Alessio Rovera / Francois Heriau / Simon Mann, 76pts
3rd Ben Keating / Daniel Juncadella / Jonny Edgar, 66pts
14th Ahmed Al Harthy / Valentino Rossi / Kelvin van der Linde, 22pts
2025 FIA WEC LMGT3 Team Standings (after Rd5):
1st Manthey 1st Phorm (Porsche 911 GT3 R), 89pts
2nd Vista AF Corse (Ferrari 296), 76pts
3rd TF Sport (Corvette Z06), 66pts
13th Team WRT (BMW M4 LMGT3), 22pts
