Privateer Porsche Takes Historic Spa 6-Hour Victory
Hertz Team Jota duo Will Stevens and Callum Ilott’s Porsche 963 scored an historic first Hypercar era privateer victory at Spa.
Porsche continues to dominate the 2024 World Endurance Championship. Hertz Team Jota duo Will Stevens and Callum Ilott’s Porsche 963 scored an historic first Hypercar era privateer victory of they fended off the might of both the factory Penske Porsche and Ferrari teams to win the Spa 6 Hours on Saturday.
It was another dominant WEC outing for Porsche with both the overall Hypercar 1-2 and LM GT3 1-2 wins. Ferrari however bounced back from another disaster to claim a podium third and fourth. Porsche Penske Motorsport trio Laurens Vanthoor, Andre Lotterer and Kevin Estre ended up second to move into the title lead in the number 6. Andrea Fuoco, Miguel Molina, and Nicholas Nielsen were third for Ferrari.
It was a dramatic, crash, safety car and red flag infested race. Porsche first inherited pole position after fastest in qualifying, Alessandro Pier Guidi, James Calado and Antonio Giovinazzi’s 51 Ferrari was found underweight after qualifying. But it was also a cruel outing for the red cars, which were in a strong 1-2 when the race was stopped after a huge accident an hour and 40 from home.
Porsche Emerged Best From Spa Red Flag Reshuffle
Earl Bamber had tried to force his Cadillac V-Series.R LMDh into a gap that did not exist. Between the Neel Jani Proton Competition Porsche 963 he was attempting to pass, and the hapless Sean Gelael’s BMW M4 GT3. That caused a frightening accident up the Kemmel Straight and stopped the race as the plane crash-like wreckage was cleared and barriers mended.
Despite the clock running down, Spa and WEC officials thrilled fans but infuriated teams by pushing the clock back and re-starting to run a full six hours on track. That handed the advantage to the Jota and similar 6 factory Porsche, which had stopped minutes before the crash. That put them into a more favorable strategy to the leading Ferraris.
Teams were allowed to change tires on the grid for the safety car restart. The leading 51 Ferrari also had to take a splash and dash refuel under the restart yellow flags. Before pitting again after the return to green flag racing.
A Double Spa Hypercar and LMGT3 1-2 for Porsche
Ilott’s Jota and Estre in the factory 963 only needed one more stop. But the privateer entry was comfortably able to hold the works car at bay. Even though Estre undercut Ilott to take four new tires for his final stint. The 50 Ferrari ended a lonely third ahead of its sister 51. The Andlauer-Jani privateer Proton 963, made it three Porsches in the top five. Ahead of the world champion Gazoo Toyotas
Porsche’s WEC cup literally flowed over when Manthey Racing also delivered a Spa masterclass 911 LMGT3 1-2. The leading Schiavoni-Cressoni-Perera Iron Lynx Lamborghini was forced to pit for fuel before the final lap. Leaving the Malykhin-Sturm-Bachler Porsche to the win from teammates Lietz, Schuring and Shahin. The Lamborghini re-joined to take third from the similar Bovy-Frey-Gatting Iron Dames entry.
All roads now lead to Le Mans for the big one, the 15-16 June 24 Hour. With crucial Balance of Performance data yet to be confirmed, it seems not much should change considering the closing gaps between the cars. All of which promises perhaps one of the closest-fought races in the 101 years of the endurance classic. See you at Le Mans!
Photos: Jota/Porsche