Wednesday 15 / January / 2025
Muscat: History making Omani motor racing star Ahmad Al Harthy is carrying rightful confidence into round five of the FIA World Endurance Championship, which takes place at Monza in Italy this Sunday, 9th July, after a monumental performance on his debut in last month’s Le Mans 24 Hours.
Finishing second in GTE Am after a sensational showing from the entire Oman Racing with TF Sport squad at the world’s biggest and most prestigious endurance race, Al Harthy and team-mates Michael Dinan and Charlie Eastwood are determined to continue their podium momentum.
As a result of their heroics at the Circuit de la Sarthe in France, the Oman Racing trio head to ultra-fast Monza second in both the driver and team GTE Am standings. Remember too, this is their maiden season in the globe’s biggest endurance championship.
With just three races remaining in the FIA WEC season, every point scored will be crucial as the No.25 Aston Martin Vantage squad strives to achieve the highest position in the championship it possibly can.
Monza, of course, is a track like so many in Europe which holds great memories for Al Harthy having been the scene of his maiden Pro-Am class victory in the Blancpain Endurance Series – now the GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup – back in 2017 as well as further podium success.
As always, consistency and reliability will be paramount at Monza, as will sufficient top speed at the 3.6-mile (5.8-kilometre) track which is famous for its flat-out straights. Just as notable, infamous in fact, is the first chicane – the Variante del Rettifilo – which will almost certainly play a significant role as the huge FIA WEC grid barrels into the right-left turn at the first time of asking on raceday.
Al Harthy, who is supported by a prestigious portfolio of partners including the Oman Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth, OQ, Omantel and MHD-ITICS, has been in outstanding form throughout his debut season in the World Endurance Championship to date.
Even with a negative Balance of Performance grading at the start of the year for the Aston Martin, the Omani and his team-mates picked up points for ninth place at Sebring in the USA during round one, and then eighth position during the subsequent race in Portimao, Portugal.
As soon as the playing field levelled for the Aston, in time for round three at Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium, Oman Racing delivered on its promise with a first ever podium for Al Harthy in WEC after a terrific top three finish – a day after he achieved his maiden WEC pole position in GTE Am. Taking that forward to Le Mans, the second place result in the 24 hour race was simply sensational.
Ahmad Al Harthy said :“We’re still pinching ourselves to be honest after the podium at Le Mans, it was an amazing week and what we achieved in qualifying and the race meant so much to everyone in Oman – all of our incredible partners and supporters. It was the best event of my career and proudest moment, the biggest endurance race in the world, so the aim is to take all of that momentum forward to Monza.
“I love racing there, it’s a fantastic track but you do need the top speed to be able to compete. The guys at the team haven’t stopped working, we continually push to improve and try and be the best we can be, so hopefully we will have a competitive car and be able to challenge for the podium again. I really am looking forward to being back in Italy, and at such a great and historic circuit.”
The first two free practice sessions at Monza will take place on Friday, 7th July, with a third session and all-important qualifying – the latter beginning at 14.40 local time – on Saturday, 8th July. On Sunday, 9th July, the 6 Hours of Monza itself will get underway at 12.30 local time. Follow everything live at www.fiawec.com
