GT World Challenge Europe - Round 5

Round 5 of the GT World Challenge Europe takes place at Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium, featuring the legendary CrowdStrike 24 Hours of Spa. This endurance race represents one of the premier events in GT3 racing, organized by SRO Motorsports Group. The circuit in Francorchamps, Stavelot, sits approximately 8 kilometers southeast of Spa and offers one of the most demanding tests for drivers and teams in European motorsport.

Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps Layout and Characteristics

Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps stretches 7.004 kilometers with 19 turns that challenge every aspect of a GT3 car's performance. The track features an elevation change of 102.2 meters from its highest to lowest point, creating a unique combination of high-speed straights, sweeping curves, and technical sections.

Notable Track Sections

The famous Eau Rouge and Raidillon complex forms an uphill esses section that tests driver courage and car stability. La Source hairpin opens each lap with a tight right-hand turn. The Kemmel Straight leads into Les Combes, a sequence of corners that requires precise braking and turn-in. Blanchimont challenges drivers with a high-speed left-hand sweep before the Bus Stop chicane, a slow-speed right-left sequence that completes the lap.

Expected Participants and Categories

The 2025 entry list anticipates around 76 cars across multiple categories. The PRO class features full factory lineups and top professional drivers. The GOLD category blends emerging talent with experienced racers. SILVER showcases young professionals and rising stars. PRO-AM combines professional racers with gentleman drivers, while BRONZE follows FIA Bronze-rated driver requirements.

Manufacturers and Teams

GT3 machinery from Ferrari, Porsche, BMW, Mercedes-AMG, Audi, McLaren, Aston Martin, Lamborghini, Corvette, and Ford Mustang GT3 will compete in this endurance race. Leading teams include Team WRT, AF Corse, GetSpeed, Comtoyou Racing, Sainteloc Racing, Rowe Racing, Dinamic GT, and Winward Racing. The driver roster features factory and platinum-rated competitors such as Valentino Rossi, Kevin Magnussen, Maro Engel, Dries Vanthoor, Raffaele Marciello, Thomas Preining, Matt Campbell, and Richard Lietz. Additional entries include Kamui Kobayashi and Nobuteru Taniguchi with Goodsmile Racing, plus a GOLD-category Aston Martin from Verstappen.com Racing under 2 Seas Motorsport.

Technical Demands at Spa-Francorchamps

Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps requires careful setup balance between aerodynamic efficiency and top speed capability. Teams must optimize downforce for the numerous high-speed corners while maintaining straight-line speed on the two long straights for overtaking opportunities. The circuit tests car handling comprehensively, with every system pushed to its limits during the 24-hour duration.

Key Performance Areas

Engine performance faces significant demands at Spa-Francorchamps, comparable to the most strenuous circuits in racing. Braking systems experience moderate stress with three primary heavy braking zones. Traction out of the final chicane and La Source hairpin proves critical for lap time performance. Teams must find the optimal compromise between maximum downforce and minimum drag to excel on this varied circuit.

Circuit History and Legacy

Jules de Thier and Henri Langlois Van Ophem conceived the circuit in 1920 using public roads to create a fast and challenging course. The first car race occurred in 1922, with the inaugural 24 Hours of Francorchamps following in 1924. The original layout measured 14.982 kilometers using public roads between Francorchamps, Malmedy, and Stavelot. Safety concerns led to significant modifications in 1979, shortening the circuit from 14.100 kilometers to 6.947 kilometers. The modern configuration maintains the character and challenge while improving safety standards.

Weather and Track Conditions

Spa-Francorchamps experiences unpredictable weather patterns that often see one section of the track dry while another remains wet. This variability adds strategic complexity to the 24-hour race, requiring teams to adapt tire choices and driving styles throughout the event. The lengthy circuit means conditions can differ significantly between sectors, testing team communication and decision-making abilities.

What Makes This Race Special

The combination of circuit length, elevation changes, and corner variety makes the GT World Challenge Europe round at Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps a complete test of GT3 racing capabilities. The 24-hour format pushes both machinery and human endurance while the competitive field ensures close racing across all categories. The mix of high-speed sections and technical corners rewards well-balanced cars and consistent driving over pure speed. This endurance race at Spa-Francorchamps continues a tradition that dates back decades, bringing together the best GT3 teams and drivers in one of motorsport's most respected events.