Engines, Emotion and Everything in Between

Being a fan of Formula 1 and, more recently, the WEC, discovering the world of GT World Challenge has been nothing short of fascinating.

Wait—they run two races in the same weekend? One on Saturday and one on Sunday? How do the teams even manage that?

It instantly sparked my curiosity: how does this ecosystem function so smoothly, with multiple classes, relentless pace, and weekend-long intensity?

And yet, somehow, it does. What follows is my take on some of the most compelling moments from the 2024 season—not a full race log, but a tribute to the beauty I found in this world.

Paul Ricard:

The season opened with chaos as the #163 Lamborghini Huracán GT3 spun on the first lap, tumbling to 45th—but still clawed its way back to finish 11th, proving that in GT racing, giving up is never an option.

From afar, it may seem like a single race—but in reality, four distinct cups are battling on the same stage, each with its own rhythm and stakes.

Paul Ricard captured this beautifully, especially through the Bronze Cup duel between the #991 BMW M4 GT3 and the #8 Ferrari 296 GT3—a true showcase of grit and dedication across the field.

At the front, the #998 BMW outwitted the pole-sitting #63 Lamborghini after the pit stops, sealing victory and igniting the season with a spark of strategy and strength.

Brands Hatch:

Unlike the drama of Paul Ricard, the opening laps at Brands Hatch were surprisingly clean—though a few drivers flirted with the grass just to keep it that way.

Early on, we saw the #14 Ferrari, #007 Aston Martin, and #32 BMW emerge as the front-runners, with the latter two engaged in a proper wheel-to-wheel duel barely ten minutes into the race.

In the mix, the #159 McLaren from the Pro Cup made a neat move past the #10 Mercedes from the Silver Cup, showing that multi-class respect still exists in modern motorsport. Race 1 ended with the #32 BMW taking the win after a sharp and measured drive. And just a day later? The tables turned—the #48 Mercedes-AMG dominated Race 2 from lights to flag, never really looking under threat.

Were there major incidents? Not really. Most kept it tidy. Well—except Valentino Rossi, who took a brief detour through the gravel, reminding us all that even legends occasionally miss their braking point.

Misano:

Home soil fuels the drive inside you—and Race 1 proved it. The #46 BMW, with Rossi at the helm, surged ahead early, building a commanding lead. But the #32, driven by Charles Weerts, chased them down to the very last millimetre. What a day to be in Misano— crowds roaring, hearts pounding.

But the #32 wasn’t done. They took that momentum from Saturday and converted it into victory on Sunday, dominating Race 2 and sealing a statement win.

Meanwhile, the #30 BMW threw a celebration of their own, taking the win in the Silver Cup—adding a touch of party to WRT’s already stellar weekend.

With Team WRT and its drivers leading the charge, the paddock packed up with one thought in mind: off to the biggest race of the season—Spa.

24 Hours of Spa:

Celebrating a full century of endurance racing, Spa delivered chaos, beauty, and everything in between. The #163 Lamborghini started on pole, but the #48 Mercedes- AMG soon surged ahead. Just two hours in, four cars thundered side by side down the Kemmel Straight. Radiators failed. Eau Rouge claimed its victims. A stranded car in the middle of the track triggered a fiery collision. All this—and we were only a quarter into the race.

Then came the rain, the grease-slicked asphalt, and the darkness—pierced only by headlights and the scream of engines echoing through the forest.

As the sun finally rose, the #36 Aston Martin launched its right-rear wheel like a bowling ball, knocking over two fire extinguishers in the pit lane.

It was supposed to be the #51 Ferrari’s race—until a blocked pit entry changed everything. Victory went to the #007 Aston Martin, capping off one of the most unpredictable editions of Spa in recent memory.

Monza:

The top two finishers from Spa lined up again—ready for another showdown. But the #007 Aston Martin, caught in a first-lap sandwich, lost its shot to go toe-to-toe with the field. Meanwhile, Valentino Rossi, wheel-to-wheel with the #51 Ferrari, sent the home crowd into a frenzy.

You’d think a Pro Cup car would win at Monza, right? Not this time. This is GT World Challenge—and in true unpredictable fashion, it was the #30 BMW M4 from the Bronze Category that crossed the line first.

How? Well-timed pit stops, strategic patience, and consistent pace—the secret ingredients that often win endurance races, no matter what class you're in.

Jeddah:

The final round of the season delivered one last twist. The #32 BMW stormed from 24th on the grid to the podium fight, showcasing Team WRT’s never-say-die spirit. Nearby, the #46 BMW kept the battle alive against the #163 Lamborghini, keeping fans glued to the action under the lights.

Despite the #51 Ferrari starting on pole, it was the #48 Mercedes-AMG that executed the perfect race, taking victory when it mattered most.

It sealed the deal for Lucas Auer and Maro Engel, who claimed the Drivers’ Championship, while the steady brilliance of Team WRT across the season earned them the Teams’ crown.

Fun fact: All 15 races featured 15 different winners—and to spice it up, we saw 31 unique combinations on the podium.

That’s what makes this championship so special. In GT racing, drivers and teams have to stick it out and capitalize on every opportunity that comes their way.

Victory isn’t just about gaps on track—sometimes it’s decided by who brakes last on their way into the pit lane.

This is the beauty of motorsport: it keeps evolving, keeps surprising, and takes you on a rollercoaster of emotion, chaos, and change.

And that’s the kind of story I want to keep telling.