Omani Driver Ahmad Al Harthy Aims for Podium Finish in Portimão GTWCE Finale

Overview

According to the source, Oman’s Ahmad Al Harthy, racing for Oman Racing by Century Motorsport, is preparing for the final GT World Challenge Europe powered by AWS Endurance Cup race at the Autódromo Internacional do Algarve in Portimão, marking the Omani driver’s first visit to the Portuguese circuit since 2023.

Team Preparations and Goals

Just over six months after launching his GTWCE campaign, Al Harthy and his Oman Racing by Century Motorsport teammates Calan Williams and Javier Sagrera head into the three‑hour evening race on Saturday, 17th October, aiming to finish the season strongly. Currently 10th in the Bronze Cup standings with 34 points, the BMW M4 GT3 EVO trio hopes to keep a top‑10 position and challenge for a second podium finish in 2026. The squad began the year with a top‑six result at Circuit Paul Ricard in April, secured a third‑place podium at Monza in May, and despite a mid‑race retirement at the Crowdstrike 24 Hours of Spa in June, rebounded with a top‑five finish at the Nürburgring in Germany, returning to the top 10. Supported by OQ, Omantel, Oman LNG, the Oman Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth and BMW Oman, Al Harthy says he is eager to return to Portimão after three years away and is focused on a strong showing.

Event Details and Standings

He last raced at the Algarve circuit in the FIA World Endurance Championship, but this weekend’s GTWCE finale will be his first mileage on the 4.6‑kilometre track behind the wheel of his BMW M4 GT3 EVO. The entry list shows a total grid of 60 cars, 17 of them contesting the Bronze Cup division, and includes former FIA WEC teammate Valentino Rossi as well as four‑time Formula One world champion Max Verstappen. Al Harthy said, “I’m really looking forward to being back in Portugal and racing in Portimão after a few years away, it’s a great track with a real roller‑coaster feel. 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. We’ve shown some strong performances this year, Calan and Javier have been great team‑mates and the whole team has worked incredibly hard. 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. That would be a great way to thank all of our incredible partners and supporters.” Pre‑event testing starts on Thursday, 15th October, with practice and qualifying on Friday, 16th October beginning at 17.55 local time. The three‑hour final race gets under way on Saturday, 17th October at 17.00 local time and will be streamed live. After round four, the Bronze Cup standings are: 1st Dennis Marschall, 102pts (Kessel Racing/Ferrari 296 GT3 EVO); 2nd Dustin Blattner, 87pts (Kessel Racing/Ferrari 296 GT3 EVO); 3rd James Kellett/Darren Leung, 71pts (Paradine Competition/BMW M4 GT3 EVO); 10th Ahmad Al Harthy/Calan Williams/Javier Sagrera, 34pts (Oman Racing by Century Motorsport/BMW M4 GT3 EVO).