Spa 24 Hours update 1: McLaren leads the way in turbulent opening hours

The 77th CrowdStrike 24 Hours of Spa is almost three hours in, with McLaren continuing its dominance from qualifying. Despite a Balance of Performance hit before the race, the #59 Garage 59 McLaren 720S GT3 leads the way, showing no signs of slowing. They are chased by the #163 VSR Lamborghini Huracán GT3 and #17 Mercedes-AMG Team GetSpeed Mercedes-AMG GT3.

Opening drama brings first Full-Course Yellow

The first drama came when the #60 VSR Lamborghini Huracán GT3 spun at the Bus Stop chicane and was struck by the #97 Herberth Motorsport Porsche 911 GT3 R, scattering debris through Eau Rouge. Both cars headed to the pits for lengthy repairs, prompting the first full-course yellow of the race.

After the restart, Sandy Mitchell began making moves in the #163 VSR Lamborghini Huracán GT3, climbing from sixth to fourth with a decisive pass on the #48 Mercedes-AMG Team Mann-Filter Mercedes-AMG GT3.

Elsewhere, the #88 Tresor Attempto Racing Audi R8 LMS GT3 limped back to the pits with a puncture but rejoined soon after. The #97 Herberth Motorsport Porsche, despite its earlier crash, also made it back on track—albeit 17 laps down.

Trouble strikes Ferrari and McLaren

Up front, one of the early favourites hit trouble. The #51 AF Corse – Francorchamps Motors Ferrari, which had run third in the first stint behind Garage 59 and GetSpeed, was brought into the garage just one lap after Vince Abril handed over to Alessio Rovera. Though the car returned to the race, it did so from the rear of the field, albeit still on the lead lap.

The most dramatic moment came when the #112 CSA Racing McLaren 720S GT3—which was limping to the pits—was collected at high speed by the #22 Schumacher CLRT Porsche 911 GT3 R of Laurin Heinrich at Blanchimont. Heinrich, unsighted behind another car, escaped unharmed, but the Porsche was destroyed. Joshua Mason, driving the McLaren, was taken to the medical centre for precautionary checks.

Strategy and driver changes

With much of the second hour spent under full-course yellow or behind the safety car, several front-runners opted to make their second stops. Among them were the #59 Garage 59 McLaren, #163 VSR Lamborghini, #17 GetSpeed Mercedes-AMG, #48 Mann-Filter Mercedes-AMG, and the #7 Comtoyou Racing Aston Martin Vantage AMR GT3. The #92 Herberth Motorsport Porsche 911 GT3 R, leading Gold Cup, remained out on a one-stop strategy and ran in sixth overall.

Hour three begins under yet another full-course yellow after Antares Au was tipped into the gravel by George Kurtz. Moments later, the #70 AF Corse Ferrari slammed into the rear of the #7 Aston Martin on the Kemmel Straight as the neutralisation was called.

Benjamin Goethe is currently leading the race, having taken over the #59 McLaren from Kirchhöfer, while Marco Mapelli runs second in the #163 Lambo after a driver change with Mitchell. Luca Stolz is now third in the #17 Mercedes-AMG, just ahead of brand compatriot Matteo Cairoli in the #48 Mercedes-AMG.

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