MUSCAT: Oman’s Ahmad Al Harthy is targeting a return to the podium at the GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup season finale in Portimão on Saturday as his team bids to secure a top-10 finish in the Bronze Cup standings.
Al Harthy and Oman Racing by Century Motorsport team-mates Calan Williams and Javier Sagrera sit 10th in the class ahead of the three-hour race at Portugal’s Autódromo Internacional do Algarve on October 17.
The BMW M4 GT3 EVO trio claimed their first podium of the season with third place at Monza in May, following a top-six finish at the opening round at Circuit Paul Ricard in April.
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A retirement at the 24 Hours of Spa in June halted their progress, but fifth place at the Nürburgring, despite technical problems, brought them back into the championship’s top 10.
“We’re all determined to push for a big points finish and if we can achieve that we’ll be happy, but the aim is to obviously try and end the season back on the podium,” Al Harthy said.
Portimão will mark Al Harthy’s first competitive appearance at the circuit since 2023, when he raced there in the FIA World Endurance Championship. It will also be his first outing at the 4.6-kilometre track in the BMW M4 GT3 EVO.
“I’m really looking forward to being back in Portugal and racing in Portimao after a few years away, it’s a great track with a real roller-coaster feel,” he said.
“There are some big elevation changes, fast turns and technical challenges as well, and we’re all aiming to wrap-up the season with a strong showing to end the year in the championship top 10.”
The team said the finale would feature a 60-car field, including 17 Bronze Cup entries. Four-time Formula One world champion Max Verstappen and Al Harthy’s former World Endurance Championship team-mate Valentino Rossi are also listed among the entrants.
Al Harthy is backed by OQ, Omantel, Oman LNG, Oman’s Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth, and BMW Oman.
Testing begins on Thursday, October 15, followed by practice and qualifying on Friday. Saturday’s race starts at 5 p.m. local time.
