Oman’s Ahmad al Harthy and team-mates Kelvin van der Linde and Valentino Rossi combined to deliver a superb performance throughout qualifying for the weekend’s 24 Hours of Le Mans, the trio’s No 46 BMW M4 LMGT3 set to line-up third on the grid for the biggest race of the year.
Al Harthy got things off to an outstanding start in the main qualifying session on Wednesday, June 11, where he emerged quickest of all in the LMGT3 class to comfortably progress the Team WRT entry into the first of two Hyperpole shoot-out sessions on Thursday, June 12.
South African driver van der Linde picked up the baton perfectly and continued in the same vein as Al Harthy, lapping fastest in Hyperpole 1 to ensure the BMW would start a minimum of eighth on the grid for the twice-round-the-clock race — round four of the FIA World Endurance Championship.
Rossi got behind the wheel for the decisive Hyperpole 2, straight after the first of the shoot-outs and the Italian’s initial true flying lap was ultimately his best of the session as he concluded the run third in LMGT3.
With red flag stoppages impacting qualifying and the first Hyperpole, drivers needed to maintain steely focus and determination to conquer the immense 8.47-mile Circuit de la Sarthe and OQ Group, Sohar International, Omantel, Oman LNG, BMW Oman, Oman Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth and Experience Oman supported racer Al Harthy — and the entire team — certainly did that.
Brilliant showing from Team WRT trio confirms Le Mans potential
Opening qualifying on Wednesday produced a sparkling performance from Al Harthy, who was in outstanding form. Initially topping the times on his first proper lap, the Omani was second with just under 10 minutes of the half hour session elapsed and he held fifth midway through when red flags were flown.
Determined to piece together a great lap after the resumption and challenge for the fastest time, he steered the No 46 BMW M4 to a lap of 3m 56.875 seconds which placed him on top by four tenths of a second to smoothly progress to Hyperpole as the fastest of the lead 12 contenders.
In Hyperpole 1 van der Linde posted a time of 3m 55.855 seconds just moments before red flags were shown. After the resumption he improved to 3m 54.530 seconds, topping LMGT3 and on his final lap he shaved another two tenths off to conclude the session quickest with 3m 54.345 seconds.
Rossi climbed into the driving seat for the 15-minute Hyperpole 2 and his first competitive lap was a time of 3m 54.966 seconds, placing him third. Ultimately this was the Italian’s best of the session as he secured a terrific third on the grid for, arguably, the biggest event in four-wheeled motorsport.
There is a day away from track action now at the Circuit de la Sarthe ahead of the start of this year’s 24 Hours of Le Mans on Saturday, June 14. Warm-up will take place at 12:00 local time before the race itself starts at 16:00.
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