2025 Nürburgring 24 Hours: Tension Builds in Final Hours
As the 2025 Nürburgring 24 Hours approaches its climax with under three hours remaining, a tight battle is underway between the #911 Manthey Porsche 911 GT3 R 992 and the #98 ROWE Racing BMW.
Augusto Farfus executed a pivotal overtaking maneuver on the Manthey Porsche on the Döttinger Hohe, briefly stealing the lead after 112 laps. However, the Porsche quickly retook the advantage at the 15th round of pit stops, re-establishing its dominance.
The situation intensified as race control issued a significant 1 minute and 40-second penalty to the #911 Porsche for causing a collision with the #179 Dörr Motorsport Aston Martin GT4. This incident, occurring just before hour 21, involved Kevin Estre, who failed to navigate the corner cleanly, resulting in a serious crash that sent the Aston Martin onto its roof. Estre’s misjudgment, while narrowly avoiding further collisions, ultimately placed the Porsche at fault.
"Barring any further drama, the penalty will push the ROWE BMW back into the lead," commented race analysts as the consequences of the penalty became clear.
In addition to the leader battle, the #28 ABT Lamborghini continues a solid performance, maintaining third overall, although five minutes adrift of the leaders. The #65 HRT Ford Mustang GT3 leads the SP9 Pro/Am category, with the #54 Dinamic Porsche rounding out the top five.
Kondo Racing’s #45 Ferrari 296 GT3, initially competitive in sixth, has ended its race prematurely after colliding with a lower-class BMW at Schwalbenschwanz, forcing both drivers to retire from the event. The Rinaldi-run Ferrari had earlier endured a difficult stint, losing crucial time and positions due to punctures.
The final hours promise to be a thrilling conclusion at the Nürburgring, as strategies unfold and the battle for victory intensifies.
