Garage 59’s McLaren GT3 took LMGT3 victory at spa

WECLMGT3

May 12

In LMGT3, the race was decided in the final pit stop between the McLaren #10 and the Ferrari #21. AF Corse released the #21 in an unsafe manner and received a penalty which relegated it to fourth position while crossing the finish line in P1. Aston Martin ended second and Porsche #92 clinched a new podium.

Podium LMGT3 — LMGT3 podium by Roberto Beretta @www.racingspeedmotorsport.com

McLaren #10 victory

In only its second FIA World Endurance Championship race, Garage 59 took the LMGT3 victory with the #10 McLaren GT3 EVO. This victory was a true team effort, through every pit stop, every strategy call and every driving stint. Antares Au started the six-hour race in the #10 McLaren from P15 and by the end of his run he had hauled the car up into the Top 10 before handing over to Tom Fleming.

Nobody needed reminding of why Fleming won the Goodyear Wingfoot Driver of the Race Award at the opening round in Imola but he showed them anyway, moving up through the field, all the way to second place. When he pitted to hand over to Marvin Kirchhöfer for the final run he was just 0.3 seconds behind the leading Ferrari, which pitted at the same time.

The Garage 59 team executed another perfect pit stop to try to get out ahead of the Ferrari. They were just pipped to the post but only because of an unsafe release by the Ferrari’s crew. Marvin then spent his stint Ferrari hunting, latterly with less pressure when the Ferrari received a five-second time penalty for that unsafe release so Marvin just needed to stay within five seconds of the leader to take the win!

📷 © BMW at Spa-Francorchamps 2026. Garage 59 #10 McLaren GT3 EVO

Antares Au | #10 McLaren GT3 EVO (The first driver from Hong Kong to win in WEC): “I cannot be more thankful for the people I am working with. This is a team sport: we win together and we lose together. I’ve raced at Spa many times and been on the podium here but this is probably the most special one.”

Thomas Fleming | #10 McLaren GT3 EVO: “This journey hasn’t come without its difficult moments but it is testament to the strength of character of this team that we bounced back from the heartbreak at Imola and also from the difficult times we have had this weekend. The drivers, the mechanics and all of the staff here have done an exceptional job and I couldn’t be happier.”

Marvin Kirchhöfer | #10 McLaren GT3 EVO:”I want to creditmy team mates who did an outstanding job, especially to keep us away from penalties, which was a big deciding factor is getting us up to the front. About 15-20 minutes into my stint the team told me that the lead Ferrari had received a penalty for an unsafe release so that meant I had to stay within five seconds of the Ferrari but also make sure nobody passed me. We could only dream of bouncing back this quickly after Imola so this win feels great and the team very much deserves it.” Source: Garage 59

The Heart of Racing Team finishes second in the 6 Hours of Spa

Aston Martin’s most successful racing car – Vantage – finished second in the LMGT3 class of the Total Energies 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps, after a highly competitive performance from the Heart of Racing Team and drivers Ian James, Zach Robichon and works driver Mattia Drudi.

James started on the front row of the class grid, having made it through to the Hyperpole session, which Rolex 24 Hours at Daytona poleman Robichon then used to convert into second place on the grid. James, who is also the team’s principal, ran in that position early in the race as he double-stinted to complete his driver time.

James eventually handed the car over to Robichon in sixth, following contact from a hypercar, but with only superficial damage, Zach moved the car back into a solid fourth place. When the race was reset by a series of late-race Safety Car periods, it set the stage for a classic charge from Drudi who fought hard to get into the podium positions, finishing third on the road which was converted to second when the leader was given a five-second penalty for a pitlane infringement.

📷 © Luc Warnotte at Spa-Francorchamps 2026. Aston Martin Vantage #27

“To finish second was fantastic,” said James. “I did my part and Zach and Mattia did a wonderful job in the car, and the team was perfect all day long. To get to stand back on the podium is great too.” Source: Aston Martin

The Bend Manthey secures second podium and LMGT3 championship lead

Manthey Manthey and The Bend take the second consecutive podium finish at Spa, claiming the lead in the LMGT3 championship. Despite a promising start from Yasser Shahin, a turbulent start to the 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps initially set #92 Porsche 911 GT3 R back from its starting positions of twelfth (#92). After Yasser Shahin's early charge through the field, Riccardo Pera and Richard Lietz, who were in fifth place at that point, took turns completing single stints in the #92 car. Flawless final stints, combined with penalties handed down as the chequered flag fell, saw The Bend Manthey finish third, securing their second consecutive podium finish. In the LMGT3 standings, Shahin, Lietz and Pera are now in first place with 30 point

📷 © Luc Warnotte at Spa-Francorchamps 2026. #92 Porsche 911 GT3 R

Yasser Shahin, The Bend Manthey Porsche 911 GT3 R #92: “I’m feeling incredibly pleased and fortunate to be racing alongside such accomplished drivers and within such an amazing team. We had a solid start, and I felt the first few laps were particularly strong as we pushed through the field without any mistakes. Unfortunately, I was then taken out by a Hypercar in Piff Paff, which was a very unlucky situation that should not have happened. I was extremely fortunate to be able to rejoin the race after going through the gravel. Despite some minor damage, we managed to maintain good pace. In the end, I’m incredibly happy to finish the race on the podium – something I would not have thought possible just two hours into the race.”

Riccardo Pera, The Bend Manthey Porsche 911 GT3 R #92: “It’s a great feeling to be back on the podium in the second race of the championship – another P3 for us. I have to thank Yasser and Richard; the car was excellent and the team did a fantastic job with the strategy. We’re all extremely happy with this result. Being in the lead of the championship heading into Le Mans next month is a huge boost of motivation, and I can’t wait for the biggest race of the year.”

Richard Lietz, The Bend Manthey Porsche 911 GT3 R #92: “A podium finish in Spa – that’s simply fantastic. The six hours here were once again extremely turbulent, and that’s exactly what makes the WEC so exciting for the fans, as demonstrated by more than 100,000 spectators this weekend. My team mates did a great job: at times we were at the back, then fighting at the front, then again in the midfield – it was constantly up and down. That it ultimately resulted in a podium finish makes it even more special. Two podiums in the first two races of the 2026 WEC season represent a truly strong team performance, and I’m very happy.” Source: Manthey EMA

Fourth place for Ferrari 296 LMGT3 Evo at Spa

The #21 Ferrari 296 LMGT3 Evo crew of official driver Alessio Rovera, François Hériau and Simon Mann crossed the line first in the 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps, only to be classified fourth following a five-second penalty applied in the closing minutes of the race.

Starting from the third row, Hériau immediately gained positions to move into podium contention, keeping up a strong pace throughout his double stint. Simon Mann took over at mid-race, delivering a blistering pace to power his way into the lead and hold it until handing over to Alessio Rovera. The Italian driver defended the lead with a succession of fast laps despite several safety car periods that bunched up the field, eventually crossing the line with an advantage of just under one second. A five-second penalty for a pit-stop infringement, however, dropped the car to fourth in the final standings. Source: Ferrari Press Office

Valuable championship points for Garage 59 second McLaren

Winning Garage 59 sister McLaren GT3 EVO #58 had to overcome track-limits penalties in the opening hours, but once they had been served, Finn Gehrsitz and Benji Goethe delivered an excellent recovery drive, climbing from 15th to finish fifth and securing a valuable haul of championship points.