| Flat tyre shatters Al Harthy’s hopes in Porsche Supercup |
SILVERSTONE Oman Air Racing Team driver Ahmad Al Harthy had an unfortunate conclusion to his weekend in the FIA Formula One World Championship-supporting Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup at Silverstone Grand Prix Circuit on Sunday after being forced to retire with a puncture on lap seven of the race, a press release said on Monday.
Marking his second appearance at the British Grand Prix, having debuted in the blue riband Porsche category this time last year at Silverstone, the 30-year-old had put together an impressive start to the race and was fifth of the eight-strong Porsche Carrera Cup GB contingent inside a couple of laps.
Dispatching Porsche Supercup regular Andreas Mayerl through Stowe corner on lap seven, Ahmad held the line through Club Chicane but at the exit of the turn the Austrian made a botched attempt to re-challenge and made contact with the right-rear wheel of the Muscat racer’s car.
Immediately leading to a puncture, the Oman Air, Oman Ministry of Sports Affairs, Oman Ministry of Tourism, Nawras, National Bank of Oman and Muscat Eye Laser Centre-backed driver had no option but to pull off the circuit a couple of corners later.
“I was happy with the start and the opening laps”, said Ahmad, “I overtook a few cars and was chasing [Rory] Butcher and [Richard] Plant, we had good pace and everything was going as we had planned. I then had a clear overtake on Mayerl on the outside going down Hangar Straight, I was in a good position for the chicane but then I got hit on my right-rear wheel causing a puncture.”
All in all, the weekend was quite a tough one for the Porsche Carrera Cup GB ‘Pro-Am 1’ leader with qualifying on Saturday not working out as hoped.
Rain before the start of the all-important session led to treaded tyres being used at the beginning but it was soon clear slicks were required.
Oman Tribune
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