The 79th CrowdStrike 24 Hours of Spa delivered one of the most remarkable victories in the history of GT racing as the #80 Lionspeed GP Porsche 911 GT3 R (992) EVO fought from the very back of the field to claim an extraordinary overall win after 24 gruelling hours at Spa-Francorchamps.
What began as a weekend dominated by Ferrari ultimately became a story of resilience, flawless execution and relentless determination, as Thomas Preining, Ricardo Feller and Bastian Buus guided the Porsche to a victory few could have imagined when the race began.
Ferrari Sets the Early Pace
The action got underway on Thursday evening as 70 GT3 cars took to the circuit for qualifying. Mercedes-AMG Team GetSpeed initially topped the timesheets, only to lose its place in Friday’s Superpole following a post-session penalty for a regulation infringement.
That reshuffled the order for the top 32 cars that progressed into the new-look Superpole format, while Night Practice provided teams with their only opportunity to prepare for racing in darkness. Garage 59’s McLaren emerged fastest under the lights, offering an early indication of the competitive balance throughout the field.
Friday’s Superpole belonged to Ferrari.
Alessio Rovera delivered a commanding performance throughout every knockout segment, securing pole position for the #51 AF Corse Ferrari 296 GT3 Evo. Ferrari’s strength was underlined by an impressive four 296 GT3 Evos finishing inside the top eight, leaving many observers convinced the Italian manufacturer held the strongest package heading into race day.
Away from the track action, thousands of fans packed the traditional Pit Walk and autograph sessions, adding to the unique atmosphere that makes Spa one of endurance racing’s most celebrated events.
Disaster Before the Start
Saturday afternoon brought scorching conditions to the Ardennes.
With ambient temperatures approaching 40°C, teams faced one of the hottest editions of the Spa 24 Hours in recent memory as the field assembled for the 16:30 local time start.
For the #80 Lionspeed GP Porsche, disaster struck before a wheel had even turned in anger.
An engine change forced the car to start from the pit lane, relegating it effectively to last place overall once the race got underway. Any hopes of victory appeared distant before the opening lap had even been completed.
At the front, pole-sitting AF Corse Ferrari immediately demonstrated the pace it had shown throughout qualifying. The opening hours featured an intense battle involving Ferrari, Porsche, Mercedes-AMG and BMW, with multiple lead changes keeping fans captivated as temperatures continued to punish both drivers and machinery.
Through the Darkness
As night descended over Spa-Francorchamps, the race entered its most demanding phase.
Teams carefully balanced tyre management, fuel strategy and driver stints while attempting to avoid costly mistakes. Full Course Yellow and Safety Car interventions remained relatively limited, allowing the race to settle into a rhythm where outright speed alone would not guarantee success.
The #80 Porsche quietly began its recovery.
Without attracting significant attention, the Lionspeed GP entry steadily climbed the order through disciplined driving, efficient pit work and faultless execution. While rivals encountered setbacks and reliability concerns, the Porsche continued to move forward.
The HRT Ford Mustang GT3 Evo enjoyed its own moment in the spotlight by briefly leading during the night, highlighting the competitiveness throughout the field.
Ferrari Heartbreak
As dawn approached, another twist arrived.
A brief but intense rain shower swept across the circuit at around 04:00, creating challenging conditions before the track rapidly dried once again.
Throughout much of the race, the #51 AF Corse Ferrari remained the benchmark. Having displayed exceptional pace from the opening practice sessions onwards, the Ferrari appeared firmly on course for victory.
Then everything unravelled.
A sequence of three separate tyre punctures dramatically altered the complexion of the race. Additional left-front damage sustained following contact compounded the problems, forcing the Ferrari out of contention despite arguably being the fastest car throughout the entire event.
With Ferrari’s challenge fading, the door opened for Porsche.
At approximately the 16-hour mark, Thomas Preining completed a decisive move that placed the #80 Lionspeed GP Porsche into the overall lead for the first time all weekend.
From that moment onwards, the race became theirs to lose.
A Record-Breaking Recovery
The closing hours demanded absolute concentration as fuel calculations, tyre degradation and traffic management became increasingly critical.
The #48 Mercedes-AMG GT3 EVO produced one of the cleanest races in the field and remained a constant threat, while Ferrari continued to fight despite its earlier misfortune.
Yet the #80 Porsche never faltered.
After starting from the pit lane and effectively running last at the beginning of the race, the Lionspeed GP crew executed a near-perfect recovery to control the final stages and secure an unforgettable victory at the world's biggest GT race.
When the chequered flag finally fell after 24 hours of relentless competition, the result marked one of the greatest comeback stories Spa has witnessed.
CrowdStrike 24 Hours of Spa – Overall Podium
1st – #80 Lionspeed GP Porsche 911 GT3 R (992) EVO
Thomas Preining, Ricardo Feller, Bastian Buus.
2nd – #48 Mercedes-AMG GT3 EVO
Lucas Auer, Luca Stolz, Maro Engel.
3rd – #51 AF Corse Ferrari 296 GT3 Evo
Alessio Rovera, Tommaso Mosca, Nicklas Nielsen.
From a pit lane start to the top step of the podium, the #80 Porsche's charge through the field will be remembered as one of the defining performances in modern Spa 24 Hours history.
