In today’s TSF1 GREECE Podcast, we bring you the latest updates from the 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps race in the 3rd Round of this year’s World Endurance Championship.
It was an exciting race filled with significant incidents that occurred in the challenging trackside conditions. Toyota Gazoo Racing claimed an impressive 1-2 victory after a thrilling six hours of racing. The pole-sitting #7 Toyota GR010 HYBRID of Kamui Kobayashi, Mike Conway, and Jose Maria Lopez won the race by opting for slicks on a drying track while many runners in the field chose to start on wets. Despite a late challenge from the sister #8, which started dead last and briefly led in the final hour, the #7 controlled the race and crossed the line 16 seconds clear of the pack.
The #51 AF Corse Ferrari 499P earned a last-gasp podium after James Calado made a move on Fred Makowiecki around the outside at Les Combes on the final lap to deny Porsche a second podium finish in a row. However, the top-three finish was a consolation prize for AF Corse. The car had the pace to win here, but the team’s tire gamble failed, and the #50 crashed out late in the race from third position. The race highlighted that even the best drivers on the grid are getting caught out in cold conditions with stone-cold tires.
The top-five in Hypercar was completed by the #2 Cadillac Racing V-Series.R, which also started on wet tires and spent the first half of the race trying to fight its way back into contention. The race was an exciting and challenging event that left teams wondering what could have been. The LMP2 class at the WEC 6 Hours of Spa was full of drama and battles, with four safety car periods affecting the race.
The #41 Team WRT ORECA won the class, beating the pole-sitting #23 United Autosports ORECA in a battle on pit lane. The United Autosports car led for much of the race but lost its lead due to the safety cars, eventually finishing second. Inter Europol finished third after a lengthy battle in the final minutes.
Prema Racing had a mixed race, with one car finishing ninth and the other receiving a crushing 3-minute stop-go penalty that cost it two laps and dropped it to 10th. Richard Mille AF Corse won the GTE Am class at the 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps, with the #83 crew of Alessio Rovera, Lilou Wadoux, and Luis Perez Companc taking the victory. Wadoux became the first female driver to win an FIA WEC class race. The #33 Corvette Racing C8.R led the race initially but dropped out of the top five after switching to slicks, while the ORT by TF Sport Aston Martin and the D’Station Racing Vantage lost time due to errors. The #88 Proton Competition Porsche finished fourth, passing the Iron Dames car at the end of the race.
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