Spa 3-Hour Race Ends in Silver Win for Harry George

Round 5 of the British GT Championship took the grid to one of the most iconic and demanding circuits in motorsport Spa-Francorchamps. With scorching 30+°C heat and a grueling 3-hour race on the cards, it would be a true test of endurance for Harry George, teammate Luca, and the Optimum Motorsport team.

Finding Pace in the Heat

Testing got off to a promising start, with both drivers consistently improving and unlocking more performance with every session. The car felt well-balanced, and Harry looked increasingly comfortable on Spa’s high-speed layout despite it being one of the hottest weekends he’s ever driven in.

Pre-Qualifying – Fast From the Start

In the pre-qualifying sessions, Harry laid down an early marker with a rapid 2:29.569, putting the team P2 in the Silver Class and P4 overall, just 0.4 seconds off P1. The pace was clear and it was only getting better.

Combined Qualifying – Locked In on the Front Row

Qualifying at Spa followed the combined format, with each driver contributing to the overall grid time. Harry went out first and delivered a stellar 2:28.807, placing the car firmly at the front. Luca followed up with a strong 2:27.988, despite one of his fastest laps being deleted due to track limits. Their combined times were enough to secure P2 overall and P2 in Silver for the race start.

Race Day – Strategy, Survival, and Silver Class Victory

Harry took the green flag for the opening stint, nailing the launch and holding position with a confident and clean start. After a solid first 30-minute stint, the race was neutralized by a safety car leading to a surprise call to put Harry back in the car for a double stint in the soaring 34°C heat.

It was a test of stamina and focus, but Harry responded with grit, maintaining strong pace while managing the rising cabin temperatures and battling through mechanical adversity. The McLaren began to struggle with overheating, especially on Spa’s long straights, costing them valuable time during key parts of the race.

Despite the challenges, the team held strong. When the final hour played out, they crossed the line P1 in the Silver Class and a hard-earned P4 overall a massive achievement given the conditions and issues faced.

The team now shifts focus to the next round at Snetterton 20th - 22nd June.

Image Credit: Xynamic