Electric Cars

The 2025 Spa 24 Hours witnessed a historic moment as the Grasser Racing Team's Lamborghini Huracan GT3 EVO2 clinched a hard-fought victory. Drivers Mirko Bortolotti, Luca Engstler, and Jordan Pepper navigated a race characterized by strategic maneuvers and dramatic twists, ultimately bringing home Lamborghini's inaugural win in this demanding endurance classic. Their success was a testament to meticulous planning and flawless execution, particularly during the critical latter stages of the event.

The concluding eight hours of the race unfolded without significant interruptions from safety cars, yet were punctuated by three decisive Full Course Yellow (FCY) periods. A crucial FCY, occurring nearly 18 and a half hours in, allowed the #63 Lamborghini and Rowe Racing's #98 BMW to pit simultaneously. Emerging from this pit stop in the lead, the Lamborghini faced a new challenge when another FCY after the 20-hour mark unexpectedly propelled the #96 Rutronik Racing Porsche into the lead. The Porsche, driven by Sven Muller, Patric Niederhauser, and Alessio Picariello, benefited from a fortuitous pitstop under caution, setting the stage for a tense showdown with the leading Lamborghini. The Porsche maintained its advantage for nearly two hours until an unfortunate puncture forced Muller to limp back to the pits, enabling Grasser to reclaim the lead. Despite a tense final pit stop where Bortolotti lost precious seconds due to an engine restart issue, he expertly managed to hold off Niederhauser's determined pursuit, securing the win by a margin of 8.703 seconds. Meanwhile, the #51 AF Corse Ferrari, manned by Alessio Rovera, Vincent Abril, and Alessandro Pier Guidi, climbed to third place after the #98 Rowe BMW received a post-race penalty for exceeding track limits, showcasing a remarkable recovery from an early brake problem.

This triumph not only adds Lamborghini to an exclusive list of Spa 24 Hours winning manufacturers but also highlights the indomitable spirit of competition and the unforeseen turns of fate that define endurance racing. The race also served as a stark reminder of motorsport's inherent dangers, with a terrifying high-speed collision between Laurin Heinrich's #22 Schumacher-CLRT Porsche and the #112 CSA McLaren, from which both drivers miraculously escaped unharmed, underscoring the advancements in safety technology.

The Spa 24 Hours race vividly illustrates that perseverance, strategic brilliance, and the ability to overcome adversity are paramount in achieving success. It reminds us that even when faced with unexpected challenges or setbacks, a resilient spirit and unwavering focus can turn near-misses into monumental victories, echoing the broader human experience where dedication and courage pave the way for extraordinary achievements.

Red Bull team boss Christian Horner openly admitted his confusion regarding McLaren's remarkable ability to manage tire wear during the Austrian Grand Prix, particularly given the high track temperatures. The Woking-based outfit showcased an extraordinary capacity to maintain tire integrity even when cars were running in close proximity, a performance that left Horner genuinely impressed and perplexed.

The Austrian Grand Prix proved to be a challenging event for Red Bull. Max Verstappen, a key contender for the team, was forced to retire early in the race following an opening lap incident. This unfortunate turn of events brought an end to Red Bull's impressive 77-race streak of scoring points, adding to the team's frustrations. Meanwhile, McLaren's dominance was undeniable, with Lando Norris securing victory and his teammate Oscar Piastri closely behind, further solidifying McLaren's strong position in the drivers' standings.

Horner elaborated on his astonishment, noting the unique characteristic of McLaren's cars. He observed that Oscar Piastri was able to trail Lando Norris extremely closely, even with a heavily fueled car at the race's outset, without succumbing to the usual tire degradation issues like graining. This phenomenon, according to Horner, represents a significant competitive advantage for McLaren, as other teams would typically struggle with tire longevity under similar conditions. The consistency and durability displayed by McLaren's tires were unlike anything Horner had witnessed from other competitors, prompting his candid remarks about their baffling technical prowess.

The weekend's outcome at the Red Bull Ring was particularly disappointing for the Milton Keynes-based squad. Verstappen's early exit, a result of a collision with Mercedes' rookie Andrea Kimi Antonelli on the first lap, compounded Red Bull's woes. Horner described the home race as one to forget, attributing their misfortune in qualifying to placing them in a vulnerable position where such an incident could occur. Antonelli, who subsequently apologized to Verstappen, inadvertently derailed Red Bull's race, leaving Horner to reflect on a lost opportunity and McLaren's unexpected, yet formidable, performance edge in tire management.