Flawless in imola
Magnificent Ahmad al Harthy takes ELMS GTE victory, becomes the first ever Omani race winner in the championship
Imola, Italy - Ahmad al Harthy produced a flawless performance in the second round of the European Le Mans Series at Imola in Italy on Sunday to help secure a dominant GTE win for his Oman Racing team – and in the process became the first Omani to take victory in the prestigious championship.
Going into the 4 Hours of Imola with confidence high after scorching to a superb pole position in qualifying, Al Harthy took the start of the race in the No.69 Aston Martin Vantage GTE and delivered an outstanding double-stint.
Building a significant lead over the course of the first two hours, in a race peppered with Safety Car interventions which impacted his advantage on several occasions, the Omani handed over the car to Sam De Haan for hour three before Aston Martin works driver Marco Sorensen completed the job in style with the run to the chequered flag – claiming victory a lap ahead of the sister Oman Racing car.
“This is amazing, unbelievable!” said an overjoyed Al Harthy, who is supported by Oman Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth, OQ, Omantel and MHD-ITICS. “I drove my heart out to be honest, it was a perfect, perfect, perfect race for us. It was extremely challenging throughout, Sarah (Bovy) in the Ferrari was always pushing me and it was just a matter of who could clear and pass traffic better.
“The team did a great job. We were able to really control the strategy very well – that was the reason for a great win. Both Sam and Marco, amazing teamwork, but so much teamwork behind the scenes as well. It’s an amazing feeling to have given Oman its first win in the ELMS, for us to be on the top step of the podium and to hear the national anthem.”
He added: “I want to say a huge thank you to all of the partners and everyone from back home who has been keeping in touch with what’s happening this weekend. It’s such a great feeling to be leading the championship too, and a double podium for Oman Racing with the sister car as well!”
Making the most of his brilliant pole position achieved on Saturday at the Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari in Imola, Al Harthy held the GTE lead off the start and was a second clear when the first of several Safety Car periods occurred roughly 10 minutes into the race.
He steadily increased his lead despite several safety car interventions and by the midway point of the race he was able to pull 16 seconds clear.
Al Harthy took his second pit-stop early in hour three and handed over the car to De Haan after a superb double-stint.
De Haan had to ward off the tough challenge of sister TF Sport-run Oman Racing car piloted by Aston Martin works driver Jonny Adam but he still was able to maintain the advantage.
Sorensen did the rest and went on to take the chequered flag a full lap ahead – ensuring the No.69 Oman Racing departed Italy with the GTE championship lead, tied on 26 points at the top of the table.
Italy will host the round three of the European Le Mans Series as well, the 4 hours of Monza to be held on July 2 and 3.
This is amazing, unbelievable! It’s an amazing feeling to have given Oman its first win in the ELMS, for us to be on the top of the podium and to hear the national anthem.
AHMAD AL HARTHY