In the Intercontinental GT Challenge standings, Müller, Niederhauser, Picariello and Porsche were classified first. Competing in Europe for the first time, Wright Motorsport finished the endurance race in Belgium’s Ardennes 16th overall, making it the second-best Porsche customer team. In the Pro-Am category, AV Racing by Car Collection Motorsport clinched class victory.
The race
Following an eventful opening phase of the Belgian endurance classic (see interim report), the battle for overall victory on the 7.004-kilometre Grand Prix circuit intensified in the final eight hours. A key moment occurred around 12:30 pm: while Alessio Picariello steered the number 96 Porsche into the pits for a routine stop, a stricken car triggered a full-course yellow. This meant that as Rutronik Racing’s mechanics refuelled the Belgian’s 911 GT3 R, the field was restricted to 80 km/h under full-course yellow conditions, allowing a significant time gain for the car shared by Picariello, Germany’s Sven Müller and Switzerland’s Patric Niederhauser. With four hours remaining, the trio also benefited from a well-timed pit stop rhythm, bringing Rutronik Racing’s 911 GT3 R back into contention.
As track temperatures climbed above 50 degrees Celsius, the race unfolded into a heated neck-and-neck duel between the number 63 Lamborghini and the Porsche. With just over two hours left on the clock, the Grasser Racing Team’s car passed the Rutronik 911 GT3 R to take the lead. With 40 minutes before the checkered flag, the Lamborghini made its final fuel stop. Though the stop went not according to plan, it was still fast enough for the car to rejoin the track one second ahead of Niederhauser – effectively sealing the result. In the Intercontinental GT Challenge, which also includes the 24 Hours of Spa, Porsche and the Rutronik Racing driver trio secured first place.
Strong performance from Wright Motorsport at European debut
Wright Motorsport wrapped up the 24 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps in 16th place as the second-best Porsche customer team. The US-based squad with drivers Adam Adelson, Elliott Skeer, and Thomas Sargent took on their first European race and delivered a flawless performance in a demanding overseas debut, competing against a field of other 73 GT3 cars. Their efforts earned them fourth place in the Gold Cup class.
Lionspeed GP stepped up the pace during the night. Starting from 45th on the grid, the 911 GT3 R piloted by Gabriel Rindone (France), Patrick Kolb (Germany), Riccardo Pera (Italy), and Porsche contracted driver Ricardo Feller (Switzerland) launched a remarkable charge through the field in the dark. At one point, Feller had climbed as high as 13th overall and led the Bronze Cup standings. However, a minor collision followed by a spin in the first corner, compounded by a penalty for an unauthorised entry into the endurance pit lane, saw the team slip back to 21st overall and fourth in the Bronze Cup.
Porsche customer team AV Racing by Car Collection Motorsport celebrated victory in the Pro-Am class. The quartet of Frenchman Noam Abramczyk, Bo Yuan from China, and Belgians Mathieu Detry and Fabian Duffieux started from 61st on the grid and drove a steady, incident-free race to finish 31st overall.
‟What a finale! After so many highs and lows, the final four hours at Spa delivered an incredibly exciting finish,” said Sebastian Golz, Project Manager Porsche 911 GT3 R. ‟Rutronik Racing fought hard for overall victory right up to the end. Finishing second makes us extremely proud of both the team and the drivers. I’d also like to highlight the Pro-Am class win from AV Racing by Car Collection Motorsport. After the third 24-hour race in a row, I would like to express my sincere thanks to our customer teams for their fantastic cooperation. With the LMGT3 victory at Le Mans and second places here and at the Nürburgring, we can be proud of our achievements!”
Driver comments after the race
Alessio Picariello (Porsche 911 GT3 R #96): ‟I’m standing here with mixed feelings. On the one hand, I’m obviously happy – before this race, I would’ve taken this result without a second thought. But after such a hard-fought battle, finishing second is a little heartbreaking. We gave it everything; there was nothing left in the tank for us. The fact that we managed to fight at the front feels like a small miracle. The team and the drivers delivered a flawless performance. Next year, we’ll come back even stronger.”
Adam Adelson (Porsche 911 GT3 R #120): ‟Many people warned us that this would be the toughest 24-hour race in the world – now I understand what they meant. This event pushes you to your mental and physical limits, and there’s absolutely no room for error. I’m extremely proud of the entire team; everyone did a fantastic job. Naturally, we’re a little disappointed to have just missed out on a class podium, but finishing fourth in the Gold Cup with two Silver driver and one Gold is an achievement that’s not easily replicated.”
Ricardo Feller (Porsche 911 GT3 R #80): ‟After things didn’t go to plan at the Nürburgring last weekend, I was finally able to complete my first 24-hour race in the Porsche 911. I was drenched in sweat, and I’m totally exhausted now. The past 24 hours were tough, but the 911 GT3 R felt fantastic. Unfortunately, it just wasn’t quite enough to make the podium – although we truly deserved it.”
Noam Abramczyk (Porsche 911 GT3 R #29): ‟Taking my first GT3 victory here at the Spa 24 Hours is something very special for me. It was a really tough race – we had some strategic challenges and also with track limits, but in the end, we won the Pro-Am class, and that’s all that matters to us.”
Final result 24 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps
1. (1. Pro) Bortolotti/Engstler/Pepper (ITA/DEU/ZAF), Lamborghini #63, 549 laps
2. (2. Pro) Müller/ Niederhauser/Picariello (DEU/CHE/BEL), Rutronik Racing, Porsche 911 GT3 R #96, + 8.703 seconds
3. (3. Pro) Rovera/Abril/Pier Guidi (ITA/MCO/ITA), Ferrari #51, + 26.639 seconds
16. (4. GC) Adelson/Skeer/Sargent (USA/USA/AUS), Wright Motorsports, Porsche 911 GT3 R #120, -3 laps
21. (4. BC) Rindone/Kolb/Feller/Pera (FRA/DEU/CHE/ITA), Lionspeed GP, Porsche 911 GT3 R #80, -3 laps
25. (6. BC) Bohn/A. Renauer/R. Renauer/Jefferies (DEU/DEU/DEU/ZWE), Herberth Motorsport, Porsche 911 GT3 R #91, -5 laps
30. (6. SC) Rappange/Al Rifai/Pieris/Baud (NLD/ARE/LKA/FRA), Dinamic GT, Porsche 911 GT3 R #54, -7 laps
31. (1. PAM) Abramczyk/Detry/Duffieux/Yuan (FRA/BEL/BEL/CHN), AV Racing by Car Collection Motorsport, Porsche 911 GT3 R #29, -7 laps
45. (13. BC) Schuring/Au/Hartog/Rump (NLD/HKG/NLD/EST), Rutronik Racing, Porsche 911 GT3 R #97, – 26 laps
DNF Lietz/Malykhin/Preining (AUT/GBR/AUT), Pure Rxcing, Porsche 911 GT3 R #911, 136 laps
DNF Buus/Campbell/Jaminet (DNK/AUS/FRA), Dinamic GT, Porsche 911 GT3 R #18, 60 laps
DNF Bachler/Güven/Heinrich (AUT/TUR/DEU), Schumacher CLRT, Porsche 911 GT3 R #22, 27 laps
Pro = Pro class; PAM = Pro-Am-Cup; GC = Gold-Cup; SC = Silver-Cup; BC = Bronze-Cup Full results https://www.gt-world-challenge-europe.com/watch-live