The 2025 CrowdStrike 24 Hours of Spa is the jewel of the GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup. The twice-around-the-clock classic gathers the strongest GT teams and drivers from across the world, and its build-up is often as dramatic as the race itself. This year’s prologue and opening sessions at Spa-Francorchamps confirmed the competitiveness of the field, with multiple manufacturers and teams staking their claim before the green flag drops.
Saintéloc and Haas RT share the spoils
The official two-day prologue provided the first hints of form ahead of the endurance classic. On day one, Saintéloc Racing emerged as the pacesetters. Their #25 Audi R8 LMS GT3 EVO II topped the charts, a result that highlighted both their speed and their ability to deliver consistent long runs. For the French outfit, it was a confidence-building start to one of the toughest weeks of the year.
The second day belonged to Haas RT, a Belgian team that knows Spa inside out. Their #28 Audi put in the fastest time and kept the brand in the spotlight. While Audi led the way, there were no weak links elsewhere: Rowe Racing’s BMW M4 GT3 EVOs looked strong, AF Corse’s Ferrari 296 GT3s were close on home turf, and Rutronik Racing’s Porsche entries spent plenty of time near the front. Other squads, such as Grasser Racing with Lamborghini and the Mercedes-AMG representatives from GetSpeed and MANN-FILTER, focused more on gathering race data than outright lap times.
Boutsen VDS quickest during Free Practice for the 24 Hours of Spa
When the official weekend began, it was Boutsen VDS that took the first honors. Their #9 Mercedes-AMG, driven by Mikael Grenier, Maximilian Götz, and Maxime Martin, set the fastest time of Free Practice. For the Belgian team, topping the charts at Spa carried extra weight, and it gave them momentum heading into the critical qualifying stages.
Rutronik Racing ensured Porsche stayed at the sharp end with their #96 car, while Rowe Racing kept their BMWs consistently inside the top five. Ferrari’s AF Corse line-up, including the #51 of Rovera, Abril, and Pier Guidi, stayed within reach of the leaders, while Comtoyou Racing’s Aston Martin showed flashes of pace. With the top ten covered by less than a second, the signs were clear: the 24-hour fight of the GT World Challenge Europe would be wide open.
Rowe Racing hits the front
Pre-qualifying reshuffled the order. This time it was Rowe Racing who made the headlines. The #98 BMW of Augusto Farfus, Jesse Krohn, and Raffaele Marciello set the best time, confirming Rowe’s reputation as one of the most formidable endurance outfits in the paddock. Their performance demonstrated not only speed but also the ability to manage Spa’s long lap with heavy fuel loads and traffic.
Comtoyou Racing’s #7 Aston Martin again impressed with consistency, while Mercedes-AMG’s factory representatives in the #17 GetSpeed car and the #48 MANN-FILTER AMG remained near the front. Porsche’s Pure Rxcing entry and Ferrari’s AF Corse squad were also in the mix. Once again, the gaps between the leading contenders were minimal, ensuring that qualifying would be unpredictable.
Garage 59 leads McLaren charge at the 24 Hours of Spa
Qualifying brought a new name to the fore. Garage 59 turned heads when their #59 McLaren 720S GT3 EVO, driven by Marvin Kirchhöfer, Benjamin Goethe, and Joseph Loake, set the fastest time. The team secured a coveted place in the Super Pole shootout and carried McLaren’s hopes of a strong result for the 24 Hours of Spa into the next phase.
Rowe Racing maintained their consistency with the #98 BMW firmly inside the top three, while Boutsen VDS delighted the home fans by keeping the #9 Mercedes-AMG among the leaders. Rutronik Racing’s Porsche #96 and AF Corse’s Ferrari #51 both secured their places in Super Pole, giving the final session representation from five major manufacturers.
Garage 59 makes history
The decisive Super Pole session delivered a landmark result. Marvin Kirchhöfer produced a stunning lap for Garage 59, putting the #59 McLaren on pole position. It marked the first-ever Spa 24 Hours Super Pole for McLaren, a historic achievement for both the team and the brand.
Rowe Racing’s #98 BMW followed closely in second, continuing their relentless run of form through the build-up. Boutsen VDS, with their #9 Mercedes-AMG, sealed third and ensured the home crowd had something to cheer. AF Corse placed the #51 Ferrari fourth, while Rutronik Racing locked in fifth with the #96 Porsche.
With McLaren now set to lead the field into one of GT World Challenge Europe most grueling races, the stage was perfectly set for a dramatic contest.
A wide-open 24 Hours of Spa ahead
The build-up to the 2025 CrowdStrike 24 Hours of Spa confirmed one clear fact: this year’s race will be wide open. Saintéloc Racing and Haas RT gave Audi a strong platform in the prologue, Boutsen VDS showcased Mercedes-AMG’s potential in Free Practice, Rowe Racing carried BMW to the top in pre-qualifying, and Garage 59 made history for McLaren in Super Pole.
With AF Corse’s Ferrari, Rutronik Racing’s Porsche, and Grasser Racing’s Lamborghini still poised to strike, every brand has a stake in the fight. As the grid lines up for the start, the balance of power looks as unpredictable as ever. Promising a Spa 24 Hours that could go down as one of the closest in recent memory. All in preparation for the biggest race of the GT World Challenge Europe.
