Spa 24H: Eastalent Audi Out Front At Six-Hour Mark

What began as a promising debut for Eastalent Racing at the 2026 CrowdStrike 24 Hours of Spa took a dramatic turn, as their #84 Audi, piloted by Markus Winkelhock, crashed out at the challenging Blanchimont corner around the eleven-hour mark. This devastating incident ended their charge after initially leading at the six-hour mark, a harsh reminder of the relentless demands of top-tier endurance racing. This sudden exit for Eastalent underscores the brutal nature of endurance racing, where strategic calls under events like Full Course Yellow and Safety Car are as crucial as raw pace. Eastalent had previously capitalized on a Full Course Yellow to gain an 'off-strategy' lead at the six-hour mark, even collecting quarter-distance championship points, but the true battle was always set for the long haul. Meanwhile, the #51 AF Corse Ferrari, initially hampered by a puncture and penalties, has staged a remarkable comeback, fighting its way back onto the lead lap and into contention, showcasing the resilience needed to win this iconic race. As the Belgian Ardennes awakens on Sunday morning, the race has seen several lead changes, with the #80 Lionspeed GP Porsche of Thomas Preining now leading the field after 16 hours, closely followed by the recovering #51 AF Corse Ferrari and the #48 Mercedes-AMG Team MANN-FILTER. With eight grueling hours still ahead, and top teams like Team WRT BMW also in the mix, the battle for supremacy on the legendary Spa-Francorchamps circuit remains wide open, promising more twists and turns before the checkered flag.