Zakariya Al Amri grabs MERC 2 lead after Lebanon rally podium

Muscat: Zakaria Al Amri moved to the top of the MERC 2 standings after securing a hard-fought second place in the RC2 class at the Rally of Lebanon on Sunday, putting the Omani driver firmly in contention for the Middle East Rally Championship (MERC) title with two rounds remaining.Al Amri and co-driver Mohammed Al Mazroui produced a composed drive in their Subaru Impreza N14 to claim the runner-up spot in the fourth round of the championship, held over three days on the demanding asphalt stages around Beirut. The podium finish proved crucial in the championship battle, earning Al Amri valuable points and elevating him to the overall lead in the MERC 2 class heading into the final two rounds in Cyprus and Saudi Arabia.Lebanon presented a markedly different challenge from the gravel stages that dominate much of the regional calendar, with the narrow, twisting asphalt roads demanding precision and concentration from the drivers.The event also featured a high-profile battle between Lebanese veteran Roger Feghali and Saudi driver Basil Abu Hamdan, with Feghali eventually securing victory after the completion of all the stages.The absence of Qatari star Nasser Al Attiyah and young Omani champion Abdullah Al Rawahi further reshaped the competitive landscape.For Al Amri, however, the focus was firmly on securing championship points and avoiding costly mistakes.“I’m happy to have secured second place in the class here in Lebanon despite the difficult conditions and the asphalt roads, which differ from those in the rest of the Middle East rounds,” Al Amri said.He added that the objective remains to win the MERC 2 title this year, with the team now focused on maintaining its advantage through the final two rounds.“We’re aiming to clinch the MERC 2 class title by the end of this year, and we’re working to maintain our lead,” he said.Al Amri also praised his technical team and supporters, while thanking Oman’s ambassador in Beirut for attending the rally and offering moral support.He also acknowledged FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem for attending the event and presenting the awards.With Lebanon now behind him, Al Amri heads into the championship’s decisive phase as the man to beat, with Cyprus and Saudi Arabia providing the final opportunities to convert his hard-earned lead into a regional title.