Boutsen VDS achieved its first-ever Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe Powered by AWS win in a dramatic Sprint Cup race at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, marked by rain and multiple incidents. Jules Gounon and Maximilian Götz piloted the #9 Mercedes-AMG to victory in a chaotic 60-minute contest, giving the Belgian team a landmark success.

The race began with an explosive crash at the first corner, involving the #57 Winward Racing Mercedes-AMG and the #66 Tresor Attempto Racing Audi. The collision sent both cars into the inside retaining wall, with the Audi bursting into flames. Fortunately, driver Dylan Pereira escaped uninjured from the wreckage.

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Weather played a major role in the race, with light rain falling before the start. Some teams gambled on slick tyres, while others opted for wet-compound Pirellis. As the rain intensified, those on wet tyres gained the upper hand, forcing the slick runners to pit for a tire change. The worsening conditions led to several cars spinning off track, and the Safety Car remained out for much of the race.

With just 10 minutes left, the race finally resumed under heavy rain. Gounon led the pack, followed by teammate César Gazeau in the #10 Mercedes-AMG. Patric Niederhauser, driving the #96 Rutronik Racing Porsche, quickly overtook Gazeau, but Gounon maintained control despite engine troubles caused by water intake.

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In the final moments, Maro Engel in the #48 Winward Racing Mercedes-AMG made a charge for the podium, briefly moving up to third. However, an ambitious maneuver saw him misjudge a corner, forcing him into the gravel and dropping him down the order. Engel recovered to finish third, securing a vital podium for his team and boosting his and Lucas Auer’s chances in the overall Sprint Cup standings.

Gounon’s composed drive brought Boutsen VDS its first win, with the #96 Porsche finishing second and Engel claiming third. The victory also had major championship implications, as Engel and Auer now lead the Sprint Cup standings by 6.5 points heading into the final race.

In other class results, the #10 Boutsen VDS Mercedes-AMG took fifth overall and won the Silver Cup, edging closer to the class title. The #111 CSA Racing Audi clinched the Gold Cup, while Garage 59’s #188 McLaren triumphed in the Bronze Cup, thanks to a late move by Miguel Ramos.

The championship will be decided in Sunday’s finale, with several titles still up for grabs across multiple categories.

 
 

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