DOHA : Qatar’s endurance racing team is preparing for its first appearance in the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans, with the 94th edition of the race scheduled for June 13-14 at France’s Circuit de la Sarthe.
The race, one of motorsport’s most iconic events, will feature 62 cars across the Hypercar, LMP2 and LMGT3 categories, with 14 manufacturers competing for overall honors.
Qatar will compete in the LMGT3 class in partnership with Iron Lynx, fielding a Mercedes-AMG Motorsport entry in the category’s 25-car grid. The driver lineup includes Qatari racer Abdullah Al Khalifi alongside Germany’s Julian Hanses and Argentina’s Franco Girolami.
The Le Mans debut represents a significant milestone for Qatar’s growing presence in international endurance racing, following a rapid rise through regional and European competition since 2023.
The team enjoyed immediate success in its inaugural season, claiming the Porsche 992 AM teams’ title in the Middle East championship while recording multiple podium finishes in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Kuwait.
Building on that foundation, the outfit expanded into European endurance racing and established itself as a regular contender in events ranging from six to 24 hours. In 2025, it captured class victory in the Dubai 24 Hours AM category and secured the Porsche 992 teams’ title in the Middle East championship.
Additional successes followed with strong performances in the Abu Dhabi 6 Hours and Mugello 12 Hours, including a notable victory over established European rivals and a runner-up finish in the Spa-Francorchamps 12 Hours.
The team has also impressed in the opening rounds of the 2026 European Le Mans Series, earning LMGT3 pole position in Barcelona and at Circuit Paul Ricard. In Barcelona, the team led much of the race before ultimately finishing fourth.
Le Mans forms part of the FIA World Endurance Championship, one of the premier series in global motorsport. Qatar has been part of the championship calendar since 2024 through the Qatar 1812 km race at Lusail.
