Winward Racing Wins Appeal, Reinstates Race Result
Winward Racing has successfully appealed the disqualification of its #48 Mercedes-AMG GT3 EVO from Race 2 of the GT World Challenge Europe Sprint Cup, which occurred in July. Initially finishing in third place, the car was disqualified due to a non-compliant wheel bearing.
In a recent hearing held by the Royal Automobile Club of Belgium’s National Court of Appeal, it was established that although the sealing lips on the wheel bearing were cut on both sides, Winward Racing contended this did not breach regulations. Following deliberation, the court ruled to annul the disqualification, thereby reinstating the team’s result.
With this ruling, drivers Lucas Auer and Maro Engel have secured the full-season Drivers’ Championship, marking their second title in three years, having previously won in 2024. The Teams’ Championship remains competitive; Team WRT is currently leading Winward Racing by five points as the season heads into its final Endurance Cup round at Portimão this weekend.
Key Points:
- Winward Racing’s #48 had finished third before disqualification for a wheel bearing issue.
- The appeal highlighted that while the wheel bearing’s sealing lips were not intact, the team argued this did not constitute a regulatory violation.
- Auer and Engel now confirmed as Drivers’ Champions; the Teams’ Championship remains tight, with only one event remaining.
Image courtesy of SRO/JEP
