What Is 2019 24 Hours of Spa

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2019 24 Hours of Spa was a 24-hour endurance race held from July 25–28, 2019, at the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium. It was part of the Blancpain GT Series, featuring 66 cars, with the #46 Mercedes-AMG Team Driving Academy winning after 506 laps.

Key Facts

The race took place from July 25–28, 2019, at Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium
A total of 66 GT3-spec cars participated in the event
The winning car was the #46 Mercedes-AMG GT3, completing 506 laps
The race saw 12 full-course safety car periods due to weather and incidents
Extreme weather, including heavy rain and hail, significantly impacted race conditions

Overview

The 2019 24 Hours of Spa was one of the most grueling and dramatic endurance races in recent GT history. Held at the iconic 7.004-kilometer Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium, it drew a record 66 GT3-class entries, making it the largest field in the race’s modern era. The event served as the fifth round of the 2019 Blancpain GT Series Endurance Cup, attracting top teams and drivers from around the world.

Run from July 25 to July 28, the race tested competitors with unpredictable weather, including torrential rain, hail, and fog, especially during the night and early morning hours. These conditions led to numerous safety car periods and challenging track conditions, contributing to a high attrition rate. Despite the chaos, the event delivered thrilling action, strategic pit stops, and dramatic lead changes.

66 entries made the 2019 race the largest GT3 field in the event’s history, surpassing the previous record set in 2018.
The #46 Mercedes-AMG GT3, driven by Jules Gounon, Daniel Juncadella, and Maximilian Buhk, completed 506 laps to claim victory.
The race began at 16:30 local time on July 27 and concluded 24 hours later under overcast skies.
12 full-course safety car periods were deployed, primarily due to heavy rain and on-track incidents.
Extreme weather included hailstorms on Saturday night, reducing visibility and forcing multiple caution periods.

How It Works

The 24 Hours of Spa is structured as a team-based endurance race where driver trios or quartets share a single GT3-spec car over a 24-hour period. Success depends on mechanical reliability, fuel strategy, tire management, and driver consistency, especially in adverse conditions.

Endurance Format: The race lasts 24 consecutive hours, with teams using 3–4 drivers who rotate stints averaging 45–60 minutes each.
GT3 Regulations: All cars must conform to FIA GT3 technical rules, with manufacturers like Mercedes, Audi, and Ferrari fielding factory-backed entries.
Weather Challenges: Spa’s location in the Ardennes mountains makes it prone to sudden weather shifts, requiring real-time strategy adjustments.
Pit Strategy: Teams must balance speed with fuel and tire conservation, aiming for optimal pit windows to minimize time lost.
Safety Car Impact: Frequent safety car periods bunch up the field, erasing time gaps and forcing strategic recalculations.
Driver Rotation: Each driver must complete at least two stints, with mandatory minimum drive times enforced by race officials.

Comparison at a Glance

The 2019 edition stands out when compared to recent years due to weather severity and field size. Below is a comparison of key metrics across multiple editions:

Year	Entries	Winner	Laps Completed	Weather Conditions
2019	66	#46 Mercedes-AMG	506	Heavy rain, hail, fog
2018	63	#71 Spirit of Race	504	Mixed, light rain
2017	60	#888 Attempto Racing	501	Dry, brief showers
2016	59	#7 Audi Sport Team WRT	507	Dry, warm
2015	57	#2 Belgian Audi Club Team WRT	503	Wet start, drying track

The 2019 race was unique for its extreme weather volatility, which led to more safety car periods than any previous edition. Despite the challenges, the winning team completed more laps than in 2017 and 2018, highlighting improved pace and reliability under pressure.

Why It Matters

The 2019 24 Hours of Spa is considered a benchmark for endurance racing due to its scale, difficulty, and competitive depth. It highlighted the importance of adaptability in motorsport, where weather and mechanical reliability can outweigh outright speed.

The race demonstrated Mercedes-AMG’s engineering resilience, as the winning car suffered no major mechanical issues.
It showcased emerging talent, with Jules Gounon earning widespread acclaim for his performance in treacherous conditions.
The event boosted global viewership, with live streams attracting over 1.2 million unique viewers across platforms.
Teams used the race to test 2020-spec components, including new aerodynamic packages and tire compounds.
It reinforced Spa-Francorchamps’ status as one of the most demanding and prestigious circuits in the world.
The race contributed to the Blancpain GT Series’ legacy, setting the stage for the rebranded GT World Challenge in 2020.

Ultimately, the 2019 24 Hours of Spa will be remembered for its unpredictability, endurance, and high-stakes drama, solidifying its place in motorsport history.