Harry George secured his first GT World Challenge Europe powered by AWS Endurance Cup podium after an outstanding performance in the prestigious CrowdStrike 24 Hours of Spa, helping Optimum Motorsport to a third-place finish in the Gold Cup class.

Competing in his first appearance at the world-famous Belgian endurance event, George and his teammates showed impressive pace throughout the week. The #4 McLaren 720S GT3 Evo qualified 21st overall and fourth in the highly competitive Gold Cup category, putting the team in a strong position heading into one of the toughest endurance races in world motorsport.

After a clean opening phase of the race, George climbed aboard the McLaren around an hour and a half after the start. However, the team's race took an early setback when contact with another car at the Bus Stop Chicane resulted in a rear-left puncture. The unscheduled stop cost valuable time and left the team several laps behind their class rivals. Despite the disappointment, the Optimum Motorsport crew refused to let the incident define their race. Flawless work in the pit lane, strong strategy and consistently competitive pace from all four drivers allowed the team to steadily recover throughout the 24 hours.

George played a significant role in the comeback, completing approximately six to seven hours behind the wheel across multiple stints. Managing traffic, changing track conditions and the physical demands of one of endurance racing's most iconic events, he delivered consistent pace to help bring the McLaren back into podium contention.

As the chequered flag fell after a demanding 24 hours, the team's perseverance was rewarded with an impressive third-place finish in the Gold Cup class, marking George's first GT World Challenge Europe podium and an unforgettable result in his debut appearance at the CrowdStrike 24 Hours of Spa.

Reflecting on the weekend, George said:

"Standing on the podium at the CrowdStrike 24 Hours of Spa in my first attempt is something I'm incredibly proud of. It wasn't a straightforward race after the early puncture, but everyone at Optimum Motorsport did an amazing job to keep us in the fight. To recover from being several laps down and come away with a Gold Cup podium shows the determination of the whole team. It's a result we'll all be proud of and one that gives us plenty of confidence heading into the rest of the season."

The result represents another significant milestone in George's rapidly developing GT3 career and provides valuable momentum as the GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup season continues.

George Claims Maiden GT World Challenge Podium at CrowdStrike 24 Hours of Spa

GT World Challenge Endurance Cup - Monza