Spa‑Francorchamps sets the stage for an electrifying endurance racing era
The WEC race at Spa-Francorchamps will be remembered for a surprising decision by the judges to extend the race. However, the action on the track and the atmosphere around it demonstrated that we are witnessing one of the most exciting eras in the history of this motorsport discipline.
Porsche and Ferrari battling it out during the 6-hour race at the always mesmerizing Spa-Francorchamps track, not to mention the decent pace of Cadillac and Toyota, the slightly less impressive Alpine, BMW, Lamborghini, and Peugeot. This lineup is unmatched in endurance racing's recent memory. The creation of the hypercar class certainly hit the mark.
The excitement and passion on the track are the main draw, but they aren't the only aspect of the race. The involvement of so many well-known teams and brands in the championship acts as a massive draw for fans. As a result, on race day, nearly 90,000 people gathered at the Belgian track. Few sports can attract such numbers, placing it on par with Formula 1 regarding spectatorship.
Endurance racing legends like Porsche and Ferrari capture the imagination. The sheer popularity of these manufacturers alone draws huge crowds to the events.
The current WEC rules offer diverse possibilities. On one hand, Ferrari and Toyota have developed their cars from the ground up, while on the other hand, some teams benefit from designs provided by external constructors. For instance, Porsche employs a design by Multimatic, with the factory team led by the American legend - Penske. This strategy reduces costs while leveraging the expertise of racing veterans.
Despite initial concerns for the 2024 season, the FIA has ensured that Ferrari and Toyota didn't overshadow their competitors. In fact, it's Porsche that currently leads the overall standings after the first three races. The #6 team, consisting of Kévin Estre, André Loter, and Laurens Vanthoor, is at the forefront, with a victory and two second places under their belt. The runner-up is another Porsche team - the private Jota #12 team, which secured an unexpected victory at Spa-Francorchamps.
The competition in the GT3 class, which has also seen a significant diversification in design following recent changes, is just as fierce. Until the last moments at Spa, the race was filled with competition and drama, but as with the hypercars, the first two places eventually went to Porsche. The GT3 lineup features Aston Martin, BMW, Corvette, Ford, Ferrari, Lamborghini, Lexus, and Porsche.
All this serves as a thrilling preview of what's to come during the 24-hour Le Mans race. The best drivers, iconic teams, and an evenly matched field mean that we're set for an incredible spectacle in mid-June. Will Ferrari defend its title? Perhaps Porsche will reclaim the top spot? Or will Toyota build on its past successes? Or maybe a new challenger will emerge? In 2023, the competition was remarkably balanced, with each hypercar entry appearing to have a chance at victory.
