In a thrilling showdown at Spa-Francorchamps, the Saintéloc Junior Team clinched its maiden overall victory in the 24H SERIES powered by Hankook, overcoming a fierce challenge from former series champion Herberth Motorsport and polesitter Heart of Racing by SPS. The race unfolded on February 23, 2026, showcasing intense competition among top teams.
The weekend kicked off with Heart of Racing by SPS, featuring drivers Ian James, Gray Newell, and Roman De Angelis, leading the charge from pole position in their Mercedes-AMG GT3 (#27). However, it was Herberth Motorsport's new 992-generation Porsche 911 GT3 R (#91) that took control during the second hour, displaying a commanding performance. "We managed to lead for a significant portion of the race, which was thrilling for the entire team," said Daniel Allemann from Herberth Motorsport. Their performance was notable, as they led 70 of the 132 laps completed on Sunday and set a strong pace throughout.
Despite their dominance, a late-race Code 60 caution changed the dynamics. Herberth Motorsport had to pit twice for fuel, which allowed the Saintéloc Junior Team Audi R8 LMS GT3 EVO II (#26) driven by Erwan Bastard, Paul Evrard, and Antoine Doquin to capitalize on the situation. "We found ourselves in a great position after that caution, and we knew we had to seize the moment," said Evrard. As the Saintéloc team surged ahead with just 90 minutes left on the clock, it seemed a first victory was within reach.
In a dramatic twist, Herberth Motorsport faced an unfortunate puncture with just three minutes remaining in the race. "It was incredibly disappointing to have that happen so close to the finish. We were making good progress to catch up, but it just wasn't meant to be," Alfred Renauer lamented. With the path clear, Saintéloc completed their journey unchallenged, marking a glorious moment for the team.
This win also made it two consecutive races featuring a different victor in the GT division, showcasing the increasing competitiveness of the series. "The team, everyone, did a perfect job to bring home the victory, so that’s good preparation for ‘the big one’ in July!” exclaimed Antoine Doquin. This stunning result propelled the Saintéloc Junior Team to the lead in the GT3 Teams’ championship standings.
Meanwhile, Heart of Racing by SPS managed to secure a podium finish, crossing the line in third place despite a time penalty that hindered their chances further up the leaderboard. "Considering we had to recover from the penalty, it’s great to come away with another podium finish," expressed James, the team’s driver. JP Motorsport (#69), making its series debut, finished just behind, emphasizing the depth of talent within the competition.
On the other hand, Modena Motorsports (#16), which had a rough start, experienced disruptions during refueling but ultimately achieved a commendable seventh-place finish and won in the GT3-PRO/AM class. As Francis Tjian reflected, "Even with the setbacks, we kept our heads down and focused on the task at hand. It’s rewarding to take home the class victory."
The battle for podium positions continued as HRT Performance secured victory in the 992 class, finishing ahead of Red Ant Racing amidst a tense final hour. "The fight was closer than it seemed, and we were lucky to manage our fuel strategy better in the end,” stated Xinzhe Xie of HRT Performance. A thrilling sequence saw Red Ant Racing just edge out the competition for second place in the 992 class, securing a pivotal championship lead.
Amidst the challenging conditions, the sister team of Red Ant Racing (#904) shone with a commanding win in the 992-AM class, rounding off an impressive outing for the Belgian squad. Their prowess ensured that the top four in-class finished within the overall top ten at this iconic venue.
