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Aston Martin Vantage GT3 Secures Historic Victory At Crowdstrike 24 Hours Of Spa
Aston Martin has achieved a remarkable victory in the Crowdstrike 24 Hours of Spa, held at Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium. This triumph marks the first overall win for Aston Martin in this prestigious all-GT3 race since 1948. The win was secured by Comtoyou Racing and drivers Mattia Drudi, Marco Sørensen, and Nicki Thiim.
For Sørensen and Thiim, this victory is particularly special as it represents their first overall 24-hour race win as teammates. Despite having three 24 Hours of Le Mans class wins between them, this achievement stands out. Sørensen expressed his joy, saying, "This is a very special moment. To win already in the first year with the new Vantage GT3 is an amazing achievement."
This victory also signifies Aston Martin's first triumph in the modern GT-only era of the event. The new Aston Martin Vantage GT3 played a crucial role in this success. The car's performance throughout the race was exceptional, showcasing its capabilities on one of endurance racing’s biggest stages.
Drudi, a Fanatec GT World Europe champion, contributed significantly to the team's success. He kept the #007 car competitive every time he took the wheel, including during the opening hours when he positioned the team as leaders before multiple Safety Car periods.
The race was not without its challenges. Torrential thunderstorms and multiple incidents neutralised the event for several hours. Despite these obstacles, Comtoyou Racing remained composed and kept their car in contention. Pitstops during Safety Car periods caused significant position changes, but the team consistently fought back to maintain their lead.
In the final hour of the race, Drudi trailed a Ferrari by 10 seconds when an incident in the pitlane entry prevented Ferrari from competing for the win. This allowed Drudi to secure an unopposed victory for Aston Martin.
Team Efforts and Performances
Gunn brought home another strong performance for Walkenhorst Motorsport’s #34 Vantage GT3, finishing fourth after leading on several occasions. Unfortunately, their #35 Vantage GT3 faced an accident while fighting for the Silver Cup class lead following a Safety Car period on Sunday morning.
The new Vantage GT3 has shown impressive form recently, securing victories in various championships throughout June. This includes wins in IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship and SUPER GT Series among others.
Recognition and Future Prospects
Adam Carter, Head of Endurance Motorsport at Aston Martin, praised Comtoyou Racing's efforts: "We offer our sincere congratulations and thanks to our partners Comtoyou Racing on this fantastic victory for the new Aston Martin Vantage GT3." He also acknowledged Walkenhorst Motorsport’s hard-fought performance despite not securing a podium finish.
Aston Martin’s previous best finish at Spa 24 Hours in the GT3 era was third place overall in 2021 with Gunn, Sørensen, and Thiim driving. Before that, their best finish was also third place in 2008 with Gigawave DBR9 GT1.
Aston Martin's Legacy
Aston Martin last won this event in 1948 under different regulations with a 2-Litre Sports DB1 driven by St John Horsfall and Leslie Johnson. This recent victory adds another significant achievement to Aston Martin's illustrious racing history.
Aston Martin Lagonda continues to be recognised globally for its style, luxury, performance, and exclusivity since its founding by Lionel Martin and Robert Bamford in 1913. The company remains committed to producing high-performance cars while also developing electric alternatives aligned with their sustainability strategy.
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