LUSAIL, QATAR – Young Qatari drivers Mohammed Al-Marri and Saad Al-Harqan will make their rally debuts at this weekend’s Qatar International Rally.
The two rookies came out on top in recent assessments at Lusail by the Qatar Motorsport Academy. Their prize is a drive, supported by the Qatar Motor and Motorcycle Federation (QMMF), at the second round of the FIA Middle East Rally Championship (MERC).
From 400 registrations to a rally start
The Qatar Motorsports Academy Stars Programme was set up at the end of 2024 to find, train and nurture young Qatari talent aged 15 to 25. The first assessments took place at Lusail International Circuit in mid-January.
The fastest of more than 400 registered candidates in an initial short slalom moved on to longer slalom courses, and the leading drivers progressed to two days of finals. Finalists were tested in different vehicles on changing surfaces and evaluated by a panel of experts.
Al-Marri and Al-Harqan will drive a pair of Peugeot 208 Rally4s, alongside Rashid Al-Muhannadi, who debuted a similar QMMF and Academy-backed car at last week’s Oman International Rally and finished an excellent fourth overall behind three more powerful Rally2 cars.
The programme was run with support from Nicolas Bernardi, the QMMF’s new Off-Road and Rally Racing Activities Consultant and a former French champion and WRC driver. The rookies will chase points in the MERC’s recently introduced Junior category.
Experienced French co-drivers
Yannick Roche, 38, has competed in Europe since 2003 and contested four WRC rounds last season with Nicolas Ciamin, finishing 11th in Monte-Carlo and Kenya and 13th in Croatia in a Hyundai i20 N Rally2. He has also partnered Simon Jean-Joseph, Eric Camilli and ex-F1 driver Erik Comas.
Pierre Delorme, 27, has wide experience in French rallies and spent much of 2023 in Peugeot 208 Rally4s built by Sarrazin Motorsport and PH Sport alongside Tristan Charpentier and Maxence Potard. Last year he co-drove for Louis Constant, Florian Picchioni and Julien Casale.
The 45th Qatar International Rally is held under the chairmanship of QMMF President Abdulrahman Al-Mannai, senior committee member Abdulrazaq Al-Kuwari and QMMF Executive Director Amro Al-Hamad. Administrative checks take place at Lusail International Circuit on Tuesday, with full reconnaissance of the six gravel stages in the northern desert on Wednesday.