Spa 24 Hours: Disaster for McLaren, Ferrari back on the lead lap

The 2026 Spa 24 Hours saw a dramatic swing as a feared storm period proved limited while the #51 AF Corse Ferrari returned to the lead lap after a tire failure. With the track at Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps, the race’s main developments happened overnight, including multiple safety-car phases and several contenders dropping out. By 6 a.m. Sunday, the #51 Ferrari had regained the lost lap despite the difficulty of overcoming downtime at Spa. The article links this to the structure of FCY-to-SC periods and the lack of wave-bys for Pro Cup entries, while also noting no major thunderstorms hit the circuit. Earlier, the #63 Grasser Lamborghini was forced to pit with engine problems. Shortly after darkness, the #59 Garage 59 McLaren retired with a front-right suspension issue, after which the 720S GT3 was declared out. The night included a major safety-car sequence after an Aston Martin crash and a Porsche incident that ended two 911 GT3 R races. Later, a JMW Ferrari technical failure and fire occurred, while the #51 Ferrari executed a strategy pass during FCY conditions.