Photo Credit: Gruppe C GmbH
In the storied history of the Nürburgring 24-hour race, the 52nd edition will be marked as the shortest and one of the most dramatic. The Scherer Sport PHX team, with their No. 16 Audi R8 LMS GT3 Evo II, claimed victory in a race that was as much about battling the elements as it was about racing prowess.
The race began under the cloud of uncertainty as weather conditions loomed over the track. Despite this, the teams lined up, ready to take on the ‘Green Hell’. Among them was the pole-sitter, the No. 72 BMW M4 GT3, which had made history even before the race started. Max Hesse, behind its wheel, became the youngest driver to secure pole position at the Nürburgring 24.
As the race unfolded, the No. 16 Audi, piloted by the skilled quartet of Frank Stippler, Christopher Mies, Ricardo Feller, and Dennis Marschall, showed remarkable consistency and speed. However, the race’s true adversary was not another car but a thick fog that descended upon the track, causing a red flag at 11:23 p.m. on Saturday.
The fog’s persistence led to a 14-hour halt, with the race resuming briefly on Sunday for five formation laps behind the safety car. These laps were critical, as they would determine if the race could continue. Unfortunately, the fog refused to lift, leading to the race being declared after just 50 laps.
This decision crowned Audi with its seventh N24 victory, a testament to the brand’s enduring legacy at the Nürburgring. The last time Audi tasted victory here was in 2022, and this win serves as a powerful comeback.
The Manthey EMA team, with their No. 911 Porsche 911 GT3 R, finished in a commendable second place. Their ‘Grello’ Porsche had been in third when the red flag was called but was promoted due to the No. 72 BMW M4 GT3 having taken one less pitstop prior to the stoppage.
The race was not without its share of heart-stopping moments. The No. 4 Mercedes-AMG Team Bilstein and the No. 27 Red Bull Team ABT Lamborghini Huracan GT3 EVO2 battled fiercely, finishing fourth and fifth, respectively. Meanwhile, Mercedes-AMG Team GetSpeed faced a challenging race, with both of its cars retiring after multiple incidents.
In the classes, Black Falcon triumphed in Cup2 with their No. 103 Porsche 922 GT3 Cup. The SP10 class saw FK Performance Motorsport’s No. 188 BMW M4 GT4 take the win, driven by a team of determined racers.
The 52nd Nürburgring 24 will be remembered not for the distance covered but for the resilience and adaptability of the teams and drivers. They navigated not only the treacherous turns of the Nürburgring but also the unpredictable whims of nature. As the fog settles, the stories of this unique race will linger, much like the mist that enveloped the track, in the roots of motorsport history.
