Lamborghini Claims Historic Victory at Spa 24 Hours
In a landmark achievement, Grasser Racing Team’s #63 Lamborghini Huracan GT3, driven by Jordan Pepper, Luca Engstler, and Mirko Bortolotti, secured the Italian manufacturer’s first victory at the Spa 24 Hours. The triumph marked a significant milestone, showcasing Lamborghini’s racing prowess ahead of the imminent launch of a new model.
“This day is a culmination of relentless effort,” said Pepper post-race. “I’m speechless and incredibly proud of this team.”
This win is particularly notable as it represents the first Spa 24 Hours victory for Grasser Racing and all three drivers, enhancing Lamborghini’s previous best finish of fifth. The race saw six different manufacturers claim victory over the past six years, underlining the growing competitiveness in GT racing.
The race unfolded primarily under dry conditions, with the strategy impacted by multiple full-course yellows and safety car periods. A pivotal moment came on Sunday morning, as the Lamborghini, benefitting from timely caution periods, effectively closed the gap on the #96 Rutronik Racing Porsche driven by Sven Mueller, Patric Niederhauser, and Alessio Picariello.
While the Porsche initially led, the Lamborghini’s pace proved decisive. Despite a late scare during the final pit stop when the car experienced ignition delays, Bortolotti maintained control and finished with an 8.703-second advantage over the runner-up Porsche, which was nearly forced into a last-minute pit stop due to a puncture.
In the final classification, Ferrari’s #51 AF Corse entry, which had to battle back from early setbacks, was elevated to a podium position following a 30-second post-race penalty for the #98 BMW.
The results concluded with the top positions as follows:
- Lamborghini #63 (Grasser Racing Team) – Bortolotti, Pepper, Engstler
- Porsche #96 (Rutronik Racing) – Mueller, Niederhauser, Picariello
- Ferrari #51 (AF Corse) – Pier Guidi, Rovera, Abril (penalty adjustment)
Additional notable performances included the Garage 59 McLaren #59, which achieved a historic sixth-place finish for the manufacturer, and the WRT BMWs occupying seventh and eighth positions.
In the Gold Cup, victory went to the #33 Verstappen.com Aston Martin, while the Silver Cup was claimed by the #35 Walkenhorst Aston Martin. The Pro-Am category saw the #29 AV Racing Porsche take top honors, and the Bronze Cup was won by the #74 Kessel Racing Ferrari.
This victory signifies a transformative period for Lamborghini in endurance racing while establishing Grasser Racing as a formidable contender in global GT events.
