Hamad Al Fardan
Hamad Al Fardan | |
|---|---|
| Born | June 29, 1987 Manama, Bahrain |
| Occupation | Motorsport competitor |
| Known for | First Bahraini to participate in the GP2 Series |
Hamad Al Fardan (; born June 29, 1987, in Manama), is a Bahraini motorsport competitor and distinguished as the first Bahraini to participate in the GP2 Series.
Formula BMW
Hamad, son of rally competitor Ahmed Al Fardan, initiated his formula racing journey in 2004 within the Formula BMW Asia championship. The following year, he completed a full campaign with Malaysian outfit Meritus, securing third place overall and ranking eighteenth in the Formula BMW World Final. In 2006, despite limited appearances due to other engagements, he entered two races and emerged victorious in both.
Formula Renault
In 2006, Al Fardan contested the Formula Asia V6 Renault series representing Meritus, achieving sixth place overall with one win despite missing the last four events. He returned to this championship in 2009, dominating by winning the initial four races before the season was abruptly halted, thereby clinching the title by default.
Toyota Racing Series
During 2006, Al Fardan took part in New Zealand’s Toyota Racing Series with Meritus, where he triumphed in the esteemed New Zealand Grand Prix and concluded the season thirteenth in the standings. He continued competing in 2007 for Mark Petch Motorsport, capturing two victories and advancing to eleventh overall while simultaneously participating in the British Formula 3.
Formula Three
Advancing to the National Class of the British Formula 3 Championship in 2007, Al Fardan balanced these efforts alongside his TRS commitments. Driving for Performance Racing, he attained third place in the championship despite not recording any wins.
In the 2007–08 season, he joined the Asian Formula Three Championship with Team GFH Bahrain, sponsored by Arabian bank Gulf House Finance. At Sepang Circuit in Malaysia, he secured victories in both rounds and added two more wins later but subsequently accused rival Frédéric Vervisch of unfair conduct. Choosing not to file a formal protest, he withdrew from the series and finished fourth overall. His performances during 2007 earned commendations from Toyota F1 test driver Kamui Kobayashi, who foresaw Al Fardan becoming the first driver from the Middle East to enter Formula One.
In 2008, Al Fardan competed in Germany’s ATS Formel 3 Cup, finishing eleventh despite a season affected by injuries.
GP2 Series
For the 2008–09 GP2 Asia Series season, Al Fardan signed with iSport International, marking him as the first Bahraini and Arab driver at this tier. Backed by sponsor Gulf Finance House, the team competed as GFH Team iSport. He concluded the season ranked twentieth, accumulating two points. Although linked with a potential 2010 Auto GP drive for DAMS, he has not participated in competitive racing since then.
Career summary
| Season | Series | Team Name | Races | Poles | Wins | Points | Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | Formula BMW Asia | Belgravia Motorsport | ? | ? | ? | 80 | 8th |
| 2005 | Formula BMW Asia | Team Meritus | 14 | 2 | 4 | 148 | 3rd |
| Formula BMW World Final | 1 | 0 | 0 | N/A | 18th | ||
| 2006 | Formula V6 Asia | Team Meritus | 8 | 1 | 1 | 66 | 6th |
| Toyota Racing Series | 14 | 0 | 1 | 593 | 13th | ||
| Formula BMW Asia | 2 | 2 | 0 | 40 | 10th | ||
| 2007 | British Formula 3 Championship - National Class | Performance Racing Europe | 21 | 0 | 0 | 182 | 3rd |
| Toyota Racing Series | Mark Petch Motorsport | 12 | 0 | 2 | 530 | 11th | |
| 2007-08 | Asian Formula Three Championship | Team GFH Bahrain | 8 | 3 | 4 | 126 | 4th |
| 2008 | ATS Formel 3 Cup | Franz Wöss Racing | 11 | 0 | 0 | 13 | 11th |
| 2008-09 | GP2 Asia Series | iSport International | 11 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 20th |
| Speedcar Series | Durango | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 23rd |
! align= " center " | 2009 ! Formula V6 Asia ! Dyna Ten Motorsport ! align= " center " |4 ! align= " center " |1 ! align= " center " |4 ! align= " center " |61 ! align= " center " style= "background:#FBFFBF;" | 1st
Full GP2 Asia Series Results
( key) (Races shown in bold denote pole position) (Races in italics signify fastest lap)
| Season | Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | Final Position | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| nowrap | 2008–09 | GFH Team iSport | CHN FEA 15 |
CHN SPR Ret |
UAE FEA Ret |
UAE SPR C |
BHR FEA 12 |
BHR SPR Ret |
QAT FEA Ret |
QAT SPR Ret |
MAL FEA 9 |
MAL SPR 5 |
BHR FEA Ret |
BHR SPR 17 |
20th | 2 |