Inter Europol Competition returned to the top step of the ELMS podium at Spa Francorchamps.
The number 43 Oreca completed a dramatic four hour race filled with six Safety Car periods.
Jakub Smiechowski, Nick Yelloly and Tom Dillmann crossed the finish line first. Their winning margin over Vector Sport was just 3.3 seconds.
However, a post race penalty changed the final LMP2 classification. Vector Sport received a 1:50.791 penalty for a driving time infringement.
The penalty dropped the number 10 Oreca to 17th overall. Forestier Racing by Panis therefore inherited second place.
IDEC Sport was promoted to third, completing the overall podium.
Chaos Dominates the Opening Half
Jamie Chadwick made history before the race even began. She became the first female driver to start an ELMS race from the overall podium.
Valerio Rinicella had secured pole position for IDEC Sport during qualifying. Chadwick therefore started the race from the front row.
The opening lap immediately produced drama. Bijoy Garg hit United Autosports driver Griffin Peebles under braking at La Source.
Garg needed repairs and later received a ten second penalty for causing the collision.
The first Safety Car appeared before the opening lap was completed. Alex Bukhantsov had crashed the number 13 Inter Europol Competition Ligier at Turn 5.
More incidents followed throughout the opening half. Six Safety Car periods interrupted the race before the halfway point.
Several cars were involved in separate incidents around the demanding Spa circuit. The final caution came after a Ferrari crashed heavily at the halfway mark.
Inter Europol Takes Control
Once the race settled, Inter Europol Competition emerged as a major contender.
Nick Yelloly eventually moved into the overall lead. Vector Sport and United Autosports remained close behind.
The LMP2 Pro Am battle was equally competitive. AF Corse, Algarve Pro Racing and AO by TF fought closely for class honours.
In LMP3, Rinaldi Racing established a significant advantage over its rivals. Alvise Rodella built an 86 second lead during the middle phase.
LMGT3 was even tighter. GR Racing, Proton Competition and Team Qatar by Iron Lynx traded positions throughout the race.
Final Pit Stops Decide the LMP2 Battle
The decisive moment came during the final round of pit stops.
Inter Europol Competition completed its stop around ten seconds faster than Vector Sport.
That advantage returned Dillmann to the lead with Fittipaldi chasing closely behind.
Fittipaldi reduced the gap to less than two seconds. However, Dillmann remained composed and defended the position until the chequered flag.
Inter Europol therefore celebrated its first ELMS victory since Le Castellet in 2024.
The result continued an impressive season for the team following its second consecutive Le Mans victory.
Vector Sport Loses Second Place
Vector Sport initially looked set to finish second overall.
Fittipaldi crossed the line only 3.3 seconds behind Inter Europol. The result later changed because of a driving time infringement.
Fittipaldi had completed 1:15.791 below the required minimum driving time.
Officials applied a 1:50.791 penalty to the number 10 Oreca. Forestier Racing by Panis consequently moved into second place.
IDEC Sport inherited third after starting from pole position.
AF Corse Wins LMP2 Pro Am
AF Corse secured victory in the LMP2 Pro Am category with its number 83 Oreca.
François Perrodo, Antonio Fuoco and Matthieu Vaxiviere completed a dramatic class victory.
The decisive battle involved Vaxiviere and Louis Delétraz during the closing stages.
The two drivers collided while fighting for the lead at Les Combes.
Delétraz spun, while Vaxiviere escaped through the run off area. Malthe Jakobsen then moved into second for Algarve Pro Racing.
Delétraz recovered to finish third in class.
CLX Motorsport Takes LMP3 Victory
Rinaldi Racing appeared to have secured LMP3 victory on the road.
Mikkel Gaarde Pedersen finished 54 seconds ahead of the remaining class field.
However, post race scrutineering discovered a fuel tank capacity infringement.
The car’s tank measured 101.5 litres against the permitted 100 litre maximum.
Rinaldi Racing was therefore disqualified from the event.
That decision promoted CLX Motorsport to first place. R Ace GP finished second, with Eurointernational completing the podium.
The result delivered another major success for reigning champions CLX Motorsport.
GR Racing Wins a Thrilling LMGT3 Battle
GR Racing secured its first ELMS victory since 2015 in the LMGT3 category.
Mike Wainwright, Mex Jansen and Lorcan Hanafin delivered a controlled performance under intense pressure.
Hanafin brought the Ferrari 296 LMGT3 across the line just 2.7 seconds ahead of Proton Competition.
Team Qatar by Iron Lynx completed the podium for the second consecutive race.
The final LMGT3 battle remained extremely close. Three cars finished within just ten seconds.
Alessio Picariello secured second for Proton Competition. Maxime Martin completed the podium for Team Qatar.
Spa Delivers Another ELMS Thriller
The 4 Hours of Spa Francorchamps provided drama across every category.
Six Safety Car periods shaped the opening half before the race finally settled.
Strategy, penalties and late battles then decided the final results.
Inter Europol Competition ultimately emerged as the headline winner. Forestier Racing by Panis and IDEC Sport completed the revised overall podium.
The ELMS once again demonstrated its reputation for unpredictable and highly competitive endurance racing.