Late Night Drama at the 2025 N24
Nürburgring, Germany – As the 2025 Nürburgring 24 Hours (N24) approaches the halfway mark, the battle for supremacy intensifies, with notable performances and unexpected challenges reshaping the leaderboard.
After 18 hours, Raffaele Marciello in the #98 ROWE Racing BMW has narrowed the gap to the leading #911 Manthey Porsche, now driven by Ayunchen Guven. The Manthey team was poised well, with Guven taking over from Kevin Estre post-midnight, maintaining a competitive edge.
By 04:00, a surprising statistic emerged: the top-seven cars in the SP9 class were all from different manufacturers—Porsche, Ferrari, BMW, Aston Martin, Lamborghini, Mercedes AMG, and Ford—signifying the diverse competition this year.
Key Incidents
SP8T Lead Change: Manuel Metzger transitioned the #150 BMW M4 GT4 Evo into the lead at dawn, taking over from the leading McLaren. Both cars were battling within the overall top 30.
Aston Martin Setback: The #34 Walkenhorst Aston Martin, once fourth, encountered mechanical troubles, forcing David Pittard to pit early. The car eventually retired, dashing Aston Martin’s hopes for a win.
Punctures and Damage: The #918 Muhlner Porsche faced a nail-biting moment with a rear-right puncture soon after 06:00, while the lead #97 Porsche in SP7 struggled with a damaged rear wheel, yet managed to maintain its lead.
Race Leaders
By 09:30, the #911 Porsche remained in front with Estre behind the wheel, closely pursued by Marciello’s BMW. The latter’s aggressive pacing saw him reduce the gap to approximately 20 seconds by lap 99, posting quick lap times.
Other notable performances included the #28 Abt Lamborghini and the #45 Ferrari, both also on the lead lap. However, significant challenges arose with the #17 GetSpeed AMG having to enter the garage for repairs, effectively eliminating their chances for victory.
Ongoing Developments: As the race progresses towards its final third, the situation remains precarious, with each lap revealing further potential for reshuffling in the standings. As of the latest reports, six SP9 cars remain on the lead lap, setting the stage for an explosive finish.
Looking Ahead
Teams will now focus on strategy and pit stops in the coming hours, as the intensity builds towards the final push of this iconic endurance event.
Quotes of Note:
- Raffaele Marciello remarked on the car’s pace: "We’re finding the rhythm; it’s crucial to minimize mistakes from here on out."
- Tim Heinemann from Falken lamented, "It’s always tough when the machine lets you down; we’ll refocus for the next race."
As the sun rises over Nürburgring, spectators and teams alike brace for the climax of the 2025 N24, with victories hanging in the balance.
