Muscat – Hamed Al Wahaibi has become the first Omani to lead the standings of a World Cup motorsport event after opening a 24-point advantage at the halfway stage of the 2026 FIA World Baja Cup.

Despite retiring from the Italian Baja, the fourth round of the eight-event championship, Al Wahaibi emerged from the event with 205 points to lead the FIA World Baja Cup standings in the Challenger category.

Speaking to Muscat Daily from Italy, Al Wahaibi described the achievement as a landmark moment for the sultanate.

“I am proud because this is the first time an Omani has led the standings of a World Cup event. It is a historic achievement for Oman and a moment that makes me proud to represent my country on the international stage,” he said.

The Italian Baja proved to be a test of resilience from start to finish. Al Wahaibi’s campaign nearly ended before the rally had begun when he rolled his Taurus during the shakedown after striking a tree stump and cracking the windscreen.

Undeterred, he recovered to finish fifth in the prologue and produced another strong performance on June 27. During the 156.29km Madrisio stage, Al Wahaibi and his Polish co-driver Maciej Giemza encountered a navigation system problem beyond the team’s control, costing them valuable minutes. Despite the setback, they finished second in the Challenger category for the day and secured crucial championship points.

Disaster struck again on June 28 in the final 94.42km stage when Al Wahaibi clipped the root of a tree close to the course. The impact damaged the front-right suspension and forced his retirement.

Al Wahaibi said adapting to Baja rallying has been his biggest challenge since switching from conventional rallying, where drivers rely on detailed pace notes prepared during reconnaissance runs.

“In Baja rallies, you have only directional notes and much less information about the road ahead. You also need to understand when to attack and when to manage your pace. If you are too fast, you increase the risks. If you are too slow, you lose time,” he said.

Having entered the discipline only last year, Al Wahaibi said he is continuing to learn and improve with every event. He acknowledged that maintaining his championship lead will be difficult as competitors can choose six of the eight events in which to score points and some rivals joined the series later than he did.

The FIA World Baja Cup moves to Baja España Aragón in Spain later this month before rounds in Portugal, Qatar and Dubai. Al Wahaibi plans to contest the final two rounds as he seeks to maintain his overall lead and continue his pursuit of a historic title.