MUSCAT: World-famous Fuji Speedway in Japan is the destination for Ahmad Al Harthy this week for the penultimate round of the FIA World Endurance Championship season, where the Omani hopes to build on the outstanding podium finish achieved just over a fortnight ago in the USA.

Taking place this weekend, 27th/28th September, the seventh event of the FIA WEC campaign marks a great opportunity for Al Harthy and his Team WRT team-mates Valentino Rossi and Kelvin van der Linde – Fuji having also been the scene for a rostrum finish last season for Al Harthy and Rossi.

This year’s visit to Japan marks only the third of the Omani’s career, and on each occasion he has performed superbly. On his Fuji debut in 2023 Al Harthy climbed from 12th on the grid into podium contention within the first hour of racing, last year he, Rossi and then team-mate Maxime Martin stormed to a third place result for BMW and now the focus is to challenge for yet more silverware.

There is certainly a buzz among the team ahead of round seven after a remarkable performance at the Circuit of the Americas in Texas, USA, a little over two weeks ago. In an absolutely rain-lashed six-hour race, which began behind the Safety Car and was actually red flagged due to the conditions after just an hour, Al Harthy, Rossi and van der Linde combined to deliver a sensational showing.

Van der Linde, especially, starred during the final half hour at COTA where a decision to switch onto slick Goodyear tyres paid dividends. Scything through from 10th position to second place at the finish, the No.46 BMW M4 LMGT3 was just 0.2 seconds shy of victory. 

As a result, the squad’s second podium finish of the campaign elevated them back into the top 10 of the championship in both the driver and team standings – just six points shy of eighth place and 16 points outside the top six. 

With 25 points available for a race win, 18 points for second place and 15 points for third, another rostrum visit in Japan could have a major impact. Notably, this year’s 6 Hours of Fuji carries extra prestige as it will be 100th race in the history of the FIA World Endurance Championship.

Going into the penultimate race meeting of the 2025 season, Al Harthy – supported as always by major partners OQ Group, Sohar International, Omantel, Oman LNG, BMW Oman, Oman Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth and Experience Oman – is certainly feeling confident.