Doha, Qatar, 20 May, 2026 – Team Qatar will make its debut at the iconic 24 Hours of Le Mans from 10 to 14 June, marking an important milestone for Qatari motorsport as the nation takes its place on the grid of one of the world’s most prestigious and demanding races.
The programme is delivered through a strategic partnership between Qatar Motor and Motorcycle Federation (QMMF) and Iron Lynx, alongside a collaboration with Mercedes-AMG Motorsport, with Team Qatar set to compete in the LMGT3 category aboard the Mercedes-AMG Motorsport LMGT3.
With the main race taking place from 13 to 14 June at Circuit de la Sarthe in Le Mans, France, the 24 Hours of Le Mans stands as the pinnacle event of endurance racing and the centerpiece of the FIA World Endurance Championship calendar. First held in 1923, the race tests drivers, teams, and manufacturers across an uninterrupted 24-hour contest where speed, reliability, strategy, and endurance determine success.
Team Qatar will arrive at Le Mans following a rapid rise in international endurance racing competition. In a short period, the programme has established itself through a series of standout performances across leading endurance championships and events.
Recent milestones include securing the 2025 24H Series Overall championship, with victories in the 992 AM Drivers Championship, 992 AM Teams Championship and Overall 992 Teams Championship. Team Qatar also claimed victory in the 24 Hours of Dubai in the 992 AM category and continued its momentum into 2026 with category wins at the 6 Hours of Abu Dhabi and the 12 Hours of Mugello.
The team has also delivered strong performances in the European Le Mans Series campaign with pole positions in Barcelona and Paul Ricard in the LMGT3 category. At the season opener in Barcelona, Abdula Al Khelaifi earned Most Valuable Driver honours after leading the race for more than seventy percent of the event before Team Qatar ultimately secured fourth position.
The Team Qatar lineup for Le Mans brings together Qatari driver Abdulla Al Khelaifi alongside Julian Hanses and Giuliano Alesi, combining international endurance racing experience with local talent on motorsport’s biggest stage.
Abdulrahman bin Abdullatif Al Mannai, President of Qatar Motor and Motorcycle Federation (QMMF) and Lusail International Circuit (LIC), said: ‘Team Qatar’s participation in the 24 Hours of Le Mans is an important moment for Qatari motorsport and reflects the country’s growing presence on the international stage. The achievements and the participation of Team Qatar represent the fruition of the long-term investment and vision of QMMF, and its continuous goal to inspire future generations and create a pathway for them to compete at the highest level of motorsport. Through our partnership with Iron Lynx and collaboration with Mercedes-AMG Motorsport, we are creating opportunities to learn, grow, and establish a stronger foundation for Qatar in global endurance racing. We are proud to see Team Qatar compete at one of motorsport’s most iconic events and look forward to what this journey can achieve.’
Andrea Piccini, Iron Lynx Team Principal and CEO, said: ‘We are proud to have joined forces with QMMF, especially for this landmark moment – the first entry in the world’s most legendary race. Working with such a brilliant and dynamic federation is an important step for our team and we really appreciate the trust that they put into us.”
He also added, ‘The QMMF achieved outstanding results in a really short time, and we will give our maximum effort to help it continue its rise. We are confident in the potential of our lineup for this race, and we will give one hundred percent to deliver the best results possible.’
Abdulla Al Khelaifi, Team Qatar driver, said: ‘For all of us at Team Qatar, competing at Le Mans is a proud and exciting moment. This race represents the highest level of endurance racing and being part of it is an incredible opportunity for our team. We arrive with great respect for the challenge ahead and with a strong desire to learn from the experience, continue developing as a team, and represent Qatar in the best possible way. We are excited for the opportunity ahead and hope to make our mark on one of the biggest stages in motorsport.’
<a href="https://gulfeyenews.com/buenos-aires-premier-padel-p1-day5-a-record-breaking-night-16920-fans-at-parque-roca-and-two-clasicos-in-the-finals/”>Fans can follow Team Qatar’s journey to Le Mans and stay updated throughout race week through Qatar Motor and Motorcycle Federation social media channels.