The 24 Hours of Spa 2026 promises top-class motorsport.
The CrowdStrike 24 Hours of Spa will take the next round in 2026 with a record field and high-class motorsport. A total of 70 GT3 cars have been entered for the 78th edition of the traditional endurance race at Spa-Francorchamps, which will take place from June 24th to 28th. This once again underscores the event's claim as the world's largest GT race.
The field is divided into five classes: 18 vehicles compete in the Pro category, nine in the Gold Cup, 16 in the Silver Cup, 19 in the Bronze Cup, and eight in the Pro-Am. A total of ten manufacturers are represented. Porsche provides the largest contingent with 16 vehicles, followed by Mercedes-AMG with eleven cars. BMW, Ferrari, and McLaren each bring eight vehicles to the starting line. The field is completed by Aston Martin, Audi, Corvette, Ford, and Lamborghini.
Lamborghini is drawing particular attention: the Italian manufacturer is deploying the new Temerario GT3 in a 24-hour race for the first time. Ferrari, Ford, and Porsche are also sending further developed EVO versions of their GT3 models into the race.
More than 250 drivers from 43 nations are expected in Spa. Among them are numerous prominent names and former race winners, including Mirko Bortolotti, Jordan Pepper, and Luca Engstler. Also starting are Valentino Rossi, Arthur Leclerc, Raffaele Marciello, Nicki Thiim, as well as Nürburgring 24h winners such as Maxime Martin, Maro Engel, Luca Stolz, and Fabian Schiller.
The official prologue test already made the first sporting headlines. On the first of two test days, Christopher Haase set the fastest time in the Audi R8 LMS GT3 from Eastalent Racing. The former Spa winner lapped the course in 2:16.535 minutes, a razor-thin margin ahead of the competition. Alessio Picariello in the Porsche from Boutsen VDS also showed a strong performance, trailing the leader by only 0.022 seconds. Other Porsche drivers such as Thomas Preining and Laurin Heinrich followed behind.
On the second test day, DTM champion Ayhancan Güven took the lead. The Turk set a fastest time of 2:16.953 minutes in the Schumacher CLRT Porsche 911 GT3 R. Under difficult weather conditions, Güven remained the fastest of the day but could not beat Haase's overall best time.
The second Prologue session was marked by changeable weather and recurring rain showers. In the morning session, Joseph Loake set the fastest time in the McLaren of Garage 59, benefiting from the best track conditions. Behind him were Tim Heinemann in the Ferrari of JMW Motorsport and Chris Lulham in the Mercedes-AMG of Team Verstappen Racing. Arthur Leclerc and Simon Gachet also made it into the top 5.
With improved conditions in the afternoon, the times again approached the previous day's top level. Behind Güven, Nico Menzel took second place in the Tsunami-Porsche. Lucas Auer set the third-fastest time in the Mercedes-AMG Team Mann-Filter, followed by Ezequiel Perez Companc in the Saintéloc-Audi and Eddie Cheever in the Porsche from Ziggo Sport Tempesta.
The overall fastest time for the two-day prologue therefore remained with Christopher Haase and Eastalent Racing. Alessio Picariello, as the second fastest in the entire test, simultaneously confirmed the strong form of Boutsen VDS and Porsche.
The first favorites were also visible in the individual classes. In the Gold Cup, the Porsche from Boutsen VDS set the benchmark, while in the Silver Cup, the Audi from Tresor Attempto Racing was ahead. The Bronze Cup was led by the Porsche from Lionspeed GP, while Tsunami RT set the fastest time in the Pro-Am category. Overall, the prologue was particularly successful for Porsche, which took the lead in several classes.
The organizers also presented a new qualification format, including a revised Superpole session. The goal of the changes is to further increase the excitement surrounding the starting grid.
Belgium is once again strongly represented: a total of five Belgian teams and at least 21 Belgian drivers will be at the start. Among the best-known teams are Comtoyou Racing, winner of the 2024 anniversary edition, and Team WRT, which won the 24 Hours of Spa in 2011 and 2014. Boutsen VDS, after switching to Porsche Motorsport, also counts among the ambitious teams in the field.
Comtoyou Racing travels to Spa with momentum. The team already won the season opener of the GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup at Circuit Paul Ricard with its Aston Martin. In addition to the successful Pro cars, the Belgian team is also relying on an all-Belgian driver quartet around Sarah Bovy.
Team WRT will field three BMW M4 GT3 EVO cars and, following their recent victory at the FIA WEC 6 Hours of Spa, are considered favorites for the overall win. Meanwhile, Mühlner Motorsport returns to Spa for the first time since 2011 with a Porsche 911 GT3 R EVO, with Vanina Ickx among their drivers.
Among the Belgian hopefuls are primarily Maxime Martin, Alessio Picariello, and Charles Weerts, who aim to fight for top positions in the Pro class. Numerous junior drivers such as Gilles Magnus, Ugo de Wilde, Amaury Cordeel, and Lorens Lecertua will also have the opportunity this year to prove themselves on the international stage.
In addition to the racing action, fans can once again expect an extensive supporting program. A ten-day motorsport festival with numerous activities surrounding race week is planned. The highlight of the entertainment program will be a concert by Belgian star DJ Dimitri Vegas on Saturday evening.