Loake Prepares for 24-Hour Debut with McLaren
Joseph Loake, the 2023 BRDC Young Driver Award winner, has shown impressive form leading up to his debut in the 24 Hours of Spa with Garage 59’s #59 McLaren, alongside teammates Benji Goethe and Marvin Kirchofer. The team demonstrated their speed by topping Night Qualifying and Superpole sessions, with Kirchofer securing pole position.
Having transitioned from the BRSCC Fiesta series in 2020 through Formula 4 and GB3, Loake’s rise has been rapid. This season marks his first full campaign in the GT World Challenge Endurance Cup. "The season has been really good so far," Loake commented. "I’m getting along well with everyone, and the pace has been strong."
Loake emphasized the importance of endurance over sprint pace, stating, "We’d rather have a car that’s easier to drive over the 24 hours." He also acknowledged the support from McLaren, highlighting the guidance he receives from veteran driver Rob Bell.
Night Practice Results
In the Night Practice session, Riccardo Agostini led the charge, clocking a lap of 2:17.605 in the #70 AF Corse Ferrari, followed closely by Alexander Sims in the #2 Corvette at 2:17.899. Dean MacDonald claimed third in the #58 Garage 59 McLaren. The session, which successfully concluded without major incidents, saw the #9 Boutsen VDS Mercedes-AMG GT3 Evo led by Maxime Martin finishing sixth overall.
Race Grid Update
The race grid for the 24 Hours of Spa has been trimmed to 74 cars due to several accidents. Notably, the #11 Comtoyou Racing Aston Martin, #81 Winward Racing Mercedes, and #611 Nordique Racing Mercedes missed Night Practice but are undergoing repairs. However, the Pro-class Walkenhorst entry has been withdrawn following a significant crash involving Henrique Chaves during Superpole.
Ferrari Unveils 296 GT3 Evo
Amid the festivities, Ferrari unveiled the 296 GT3 Evo, set to debut in the 2026 season. Positioned prominently next to Ferrari’s hospitality unit at the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps, the new model garnered considerable attention.
Comtoyou Racing’s Creative Touch
Aston Martin’s Comtoyou Racing continues the trend of unique paddock transport with their bespoke ‘angle grinder special’ Volkswagen up!, designed for hauling fuel drums.
This event leading up to the 24-hour race sets a promising stage for both emerging talents and established teams, ensuring an exciting competition ahead.
