The World Endurance Championship heads to Belgium for the Spa 6 Hours and it promises to be another thrilling event
The World Endurance Championship heads to Spa-Francochamps for round two of the 2026 season this weekend. Fast, flowing and seldom void of drama, the 6 Hours of Spa arguably serves as a dress rehearsal for Le Mans in June.
After an eventful opening round at Imola where the pole-sitting No.51 AF Corse Ferrari had to play second fiddle to the No.8 Toyota in the race, the Prancing Horse comes to Spa with a point to prove. By all accounts, the 499P should be suited to the circuit, having taken victory here last year in the hands of James Calado, Antonio Giovinazzi and Alessandro Pier Guidi.
Another Toyota–Ferrari bout is likely, but gauging the current pecking order will be difficult, given the decision to keep the BoP table private for each event.
What is certain is Alpine’s strong showing at the season opener. The No.36 AF24, finished fourth at Imola, however, its unclear how the team will adapt to the radically different Spa-Francochamps circuit where top speed has a bigger impact on performance.
Hertz Team Jota will also be one to watch this weekend. Not only is the No.12 Cadillac sporting a slightly different driver line-up with Louis Delatraz making his first start of the season in place of the recovering Alex Lynn, but the team also has a strong foundation on which to build, having qualified fifth and finished eighth at Imola.
With a new aero package and brakes bound for Spa, this weekend could help determine the team’s prospects heading into Le Mans.
After an anonymous weekend at Imola, where their two cars finished 9th and 14th respectively, Aston Martin has targeted Spa as a track better suited to their package.
Meanwhile, having made their Hypercar debut at Imola (where they ran largely trouble-free save for a sensor issue in the race), Genesis will be looking to make another step forward at Spa.
A points finish is unlikely, seeing as how the team has never tested at Spa before, but an error-free weekend should provide some crucial mileage ahead of Le Mans.
After missing out on victory at Imola, Garage 59 comes to Spa with a point to prove in the LMGT3 class. The team will have no success handicap, and if their ominous pace at round one is anything to go by, the McLaren 720s GT3 EVOs should be in contention for victory.
Expectations will also be high for the No.69 Team WRT BMW M4 of Anthony McIntosh, Parker Thompson and Dan Harper, who benefitted from McLaren’s woes and enter their home event as the championship leaders.
However, their track record at Spa may be unremarkable (having recorded a ninth-place finish and three retirements over the past two years).
Lexus will also be keen to make up for its poor start at Imola, at the venue that yielded its maiden pole position last year, as will Iron Lynx, who are yet to get points on the board.
In contrast to the relatively tyre-friendly Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari, Spa is expected to be much harder on tyres. According to Goodyear program manager Stephen Bickley, tyre changes can be expected at every pitstop, meaning strategy will play a significantly greater role.
It remains to be seen who will have the edge at Spa, but with tyre wear an issue and several Hypercar and LMGT3 entrants having earmarked this as a target event, the 2026 6 Hours of Spa is set to be an engaging preview of what’s to come in June.
The World Endurance Championship heads to Spa-Francochamps for round two of the 2026 season this weekend. Fast, flowing and seldom void of drama, the 6 Hours of Spa arguably serves as a dress rehearsal for Le Mans in June.
After an eventful opening round at Imola where the pole-sitting No.51 AF Corse Ferrari had to play second fiddle to the No.8 Toyota in the race, the Prancing Horse comes to Spa with a point to prove. By all accounts, the 499P should be suited to the circuit, having taken victory here last year in the hands of James Calado, Antonio Giovinazzi and Alessandro Pier Guidi.
Another Toyota–Ferrari bout is likely, but gauging the current pecking order will be difficult, given the decision to keep the BoP table private for each event.
What is certain is Alpine’s strong showing at the season opener. The No.36 AF24, finished fourth at Imola, however, its unclear how the team will adapt to the radically different Spa-Francochamps circuit where top speed has a bigger impact on performance.
Hertz Team Jota will also be one to watch this weekend. Not only is the No.12 Cadillac sporting a slightly different driver line-up with Louis Delatraz making his first start of the season in place of the recovering Alex Lynn, but the team also has a strong foundation on which to build, having qualified fifth and finished eighth at Imola.
With a new aero package and brakes bound for Spa, this weekend could help determine the team’s prospects heading into Le Mans.
After an anonymous weekend at Imola, where their two cars finished 9th and 14th respectively, Aston Martin has targeted Spa as a track better suited to their package.
Meanwhile, having made their Hypercar debut at Imola (where they ran largely trouble-free save for a sensor issue in the race), Genesis will be looking to make another step forward at Spa.
A points finish is unlikely, seeing as how the team has never tested at Spa before, but an error-free weekend should provide some crucial mileage ahead of Le Mans.
After missing out on victory at Imola, Garage 59 comes to Spa with a point to prove in the LMGT3 class. The team will have no success handicap, and if their ominous pace at round one is anything to go by, the McLaren 720s GT3 EVOs should be in contention for victory.
Expectations will also be high for the No.69 Team WRT BMW M4 of Anthony McIntosh, Parker Thompson and Dan Harper, who benefitted from McLaren’s woes and enter their home event as the championship leaders.
However, their track record at Spa may be unremarkable (having recorded a ninth-place finish and three retirements over the past two years).
Lexus will also be keen to make up for its poor start at Imola, at the venue that yielded its maiden pole position last year, as will Iron Lynx, who are yet to get points on the board.
In contrast to the relatively tyre-friendly Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari, Spa is expected to be much harder on tyres. According to Goodyear program manager Stephen Bickley, tyre changes can be expected at every pitstop, meaning strategy will play a significantly greater role.
It remains to be seen who will have the edge at Spa, but with tyre wear an issue and several Hypercar and LMGT3 entrants having earmarked this as a target event, the 2026 6 Hours of Spa is set to be an engaging preview of what’s to come in June.
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