SILVER CLASS PODIUM FOR TEAM WRT AT THE SPA 24 HOURS
The 79th running of the CrowdStrike 24 Hours of Spa, which attracted a record crowd of over 132,000 spectators, began and ended in frustration for Team WRT, which was expecting much more from its home race. Despite a fantastic job from drivers and crews, and races perfectly executed, the eight BMW M4 GT3 EVOs on the grid were never in a position to compete on equal terms with the front-runners. The relevant governing bodies took corrective measures, which ultimately proved ineffective, only on Saturday morning.
Eventually, the car #30, of Amaury Cordeel, Mathieu Detry, Matisse Lismont and Ignacio Montenegro, fought for victory in the Silver Cup class up to the end, finishing second, only 11.5 seconds shy of the winners, thanks to a perfect race. Incidentally, car #30 was one of the only four cars among the 69 starters to finish with a clean sheet in terms of penalties.
On the Pro entries side, the car #46, with Dan Harper, Max Hesse and Valentino Rossi took sixth overall, with a 10-second penalty for a FCY infringement. Car #32, with Jordan Pepper, Kelvin van der Linde and Charles Weerts at the wheel, was classified 12th after a late mechanical issue on the penultimate lap deprived it of the eighth position it had fought hard to secure, despite front-left damage sustained on the opening lap. The repairs cost one lap during the opening stint, which the drivers and the pit stop crews were able to wipe off thanks to excellent strategy.
All this left Team Principal Vincent Vosse with very mixed feelings: “We were well prepared for the Spa 24 Hours, and everybody involved gave their best. Everybody knows how important this race is for us and the amount of hard work, determination, and motivation we put in it every year. We made very solid races, our cars performed well, and I am extremely proud of the work of our drivers, engineers, crews, and staff. But it looks like we were not invited to the party…”
Out of the track, but very close to the action, Team WRT lived a fantastic weekend, welcoming over 1,400 guests, partners, guests, and family, who could live different experiences and activities, and hosting young patients in the framework of the team’s support to local charities. A nice way to reiterate the “We aRe a Team” philosophy even when results on track are not the sought ones.
BMW M Team WRT was also competing on the other side of the Atlantic last weekend in the Sahlen’s Six Hours of the Glen, the sixth round of the IMSA Series. The #24 BMW M Hybrid V8, driven by Dries Vanthoor and Sheldon van der Linde, narrowly missed out on the podium, finishing fourth, while the #25 sister car of Philipp Eng and Marco Wittmann finished ninth.
