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Aston Martin Vantage Returns To Defend Title At Crowdstrike 24 Hours Of Spa In Belgium
Aston Martin is gearing up for another significant moment in motorsport history. The brand is returning to the Crowdstrike 24 Hours of Spa, aiming to become the first British manufacturer to secure consecutive wins in this prestigious race. Last year, the Vantage GT3 achieved its first overall victory at Spa, marking a milestone since Aston Martin's last win in 1948.
Comtoyou Racing is back with the same driver line-up that clinched victory in 2024. The team includes former FIA WEC GT champions Marco Sørensen and Nicki Thiim, along with Mattia Drudi, who won the 2023 GT World Challenge Sprint Cup title. They aim to be the first team to win back-to-back races since 1980.
This year's event will see a record eight Vantage GT3s competing, all built on Aston Martin's aluminium chassis and powered by a twin-turbo 4.0-litre V8 engine. These cars are not only vying for an overall win but also targeting multiple class victories at the challenging Spa-Francorchamps circuit.
The Spa event is part of the GT World Challenge Europe powered by AWS Endurance Cup. It's one of three major international races featuring Aston Martin in June, following events at Le Mans and Nürburgring. This creates a demanding schedule for teams and drivers alike.
Walkenhorst Motorsport, another partner team with a history of success at Spa, will field two Vantages. The #34 Pro-class car features works drivers Christian Krognes, David Pittard, and Henrique Chaves. Meanwhile, Verstappen.com Racing leads the Gold Cup class after strong performances earlier this season.
Beechdean Motorsport returns to Spa after a hiatus since 2022. Their lineup includes Andrew Howard, Ross Gunn, Valentin Hasse Clot, and Anthony McIntosh. This team aims to build on past successes as they compete in this year's race.
Historic Ties with Spa
Aston Martin's connection with the Spa 24 hours dates back to 1936 when it secured a one-two finish in its class. The brand achieved an outright victory in 1948 with St John Horsfall and Leslie Johnson driving a DB1. After years away from GT racing regulations, Aston Martin returned to Spa in 2005.
The current Vantage model has seen success across various categories over recent years. It claimed its first GT4 class win in 2010 and added two more GT3 Pro-Am category victories before last year's memorable triumph.
Challenging Conditions Await
The race weekend kicks off with a parade from the Ardennes Forest circuit to Spa town. Drivers then face two days of practice on one of the world's most demanding tracks featuring corners like Eau Rouge/Raidillon and Blanchimont.
The unique microclimate often affects race conditions at Spa-Francorchamps. With over 77 entries expected this year and more than last year's attendance of 99,500 spectators anticipated, it's set to be an exciting event on the endurance racing calendar.
Adam Carter from Aston Martin expressed excitement about returning to Spa with hopes of making history again: "Winning last year’s Crowdstrike 24 hours of Spa was an incredible achievement... Returning this week with the possibility to create history...is a tantalising prospect."
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