Luca Engstler played a decisive role in Grasser Racing’s historic triumph at the 2025 CrowdStrike 24h of Spa. He shared the #63 Lamborghini Huracán GT3 EVO2 with Mirko Bortolotti and Jordan Pepper, and together they secured Lamborghini’s first overall victory in the Belgian endurance classic. Engstler’s consistency through the night kept the car in contention and set up Bortolotti’s final push. The result marked a landmark for both team and manufacturer. In an exclusive interview with Pit Debrief, the German driver reflected on the 24 hours and described the moment he began to believe a win was within reach.
Grasser Racing delivers Lamborghini’s historic first CrowdStrike 24h of Spa victory
The CrowdStrike 24 Hours of Spa always tested both man and machine, and this year was no different. From the first laps, the pace was fierce, setting the tone for what followed. Garage 59’s McLaren led from pole, with Ferrari and BMW close behind. Grasser Racing’s Lamborghini slipped into the lead group, steady and assured. One by one, however, some of the most fancied contenders fell by the wayside. Porsche’s CLRT entry, GetSpeed’s Mercedes-AMG, and both of Comtoyou Racing’s Aston Martins were undone by incidents before nightfall. Mechanical gremlins later claimed others, leaving the fight for glory to a handful of survivors.
During the night stints of the CrowdStrike 24h of Spa, Engstler showed how far he had come as an endurance racer. He took on the long hours in the #63 Lamborghini and guided it through the darkness with speed and control. Chaos unfolded around him and conditions changed. Yet, he stayed consistent and kept Grasser in the fight. By dawn, the car had endured the night and held firm in the lead group. It traded places with Rutronik’s Porsche and AF Corse’s Ferraris as the decisive phase of the race began.
As the final hours approached, strategy took centre stage. Grasser opted for a shorter last fuel stop, a call that proved decisive. The Lamborghini rejoined in clear air ahead of the chasing Porsche. From there, Bortolotti had the task of finishing the job. He handled the pressure with control and precision. His stint sealed victory — and delivered Lamborghini’s first overall triumph at Spa.
Engstler’s morning belief turns to winning conviction at the CrowdStrike 24h of Spa
For Engstler, the morning hours brought both relief and clarity. “When the morning came, I was always a bit scared that on the second day we’d lose a bit of pace,” he said. In endurance racing, the worry was familiar. After sunrise, some teams found extra speed while others began to drop away. As the track settled, the Lamborghini stayed strong. “The second I realised we had pace, I always had the feeling that it had to happen this year,” Engstler added.
The night of the CrowdStrike 24h of Spa had not been without challenges for Engstler and the Grasser Racing team. Minor issues and the constant traffic of Spa’s massive car-field tested both drivers and mechanics. Still, the team avoided major setbacks, and the rhythm of the race remained intact. “It was such a cool build-up, and we had some difficulties, but I kept believing from the morning that we can have a big crack at it,” Engstler explained.
Confidence within the garage grew as every driver delivered consistent stints and every stop was executed cleanly. “All drivers have been on point. The team was making no mistakes,” Engstler said, underlining how the collective effort shaped the outcome. That reliability allowed him to focus fully on his role and maintain pace when it mattered most.
“From the moment I realised the pace is there, I had full trust and believed very hard that we can win it.” The belief only strengthened as the race moved into its closing phase, setting the stage for the decisive hours to come.
“Yes, to be honest, difficult to say, but when it started, when the morning came, I was always a bit scared that on the second day we’d lose a bit of pace because others turned up. But the second I realised we had pace, I always had the feeling that it had to happen this year.”
“It was such a cool build-up, and we had some difficulties, but I kept believing from the morning that we can have a big crack at it and all drivers have been on point. The team was making no mistakes and from the moment I realised the pace is there, I had full trust and believed very hard that we can win it.”
Teamwork and consistency power Lamborghini to historic CrowdStrike 24h of Spa triumph
Bortolotti’s composed final stint brought the #63 Lamborghini home, but it was the combined effort of Engstler through the night and Pepper across the heavy traffic that kept Grasser Racing in contention. By morning, the belief within the garage had shifted to quiet conviction.
When the chequered flag fell, it confirmed not just a breakthrough for the team, but Lamborghini’s first overall triumph at the CrowdStrike 24h of Spa. A landmark achieved through consistency, strategy and trust in every driver’s role.
