Final Results and Class Highlights: 5th Michelin 6H Abu Dhabi (18-19 January 2025)

Race Overview

The 5th Michelin 6H Abu Dhabi showcased a thrilling display of endurance racing at the Yas Marina Circuit, a 5.281-kilometer track. Teams competed fiercely across multiple classes, including GT3, GT4, GTX, and TCE, with each class demonstrating remarkable skill, strategy, and mechanical performance.

Race Highlights and Results by Class

GT3 - Grand Touring Cars

• Winners:

  • The Bend Team WRT (BMW M4 GT3 EVO) clinched victory with drivers Weerts, Boguslavskiy, and Shahin completing 160 laps in 6:01:39.284 at an average speed of 140.18 km/h.
  • Fastest lap in class: 1:52.089, set by Axcil Jefferies of Into Africa Racing by Dragon Racing (Ferrari 296 GT3) on lap 146, achieving a speed of 169.61 km/h.

• Notable Performances:

  • Winward Racing (Mercedes-AMG GT3 EVO) closely followed, finishing 12.11 seconds behind the leader.
  • The AM category was led by Hofor Racing (Mercedes-AMG GT3), completing 160 laps in 6:03:33.577.

992 - Porsche 911 GT3 Cup

• Winners:

  • Mühlner Motorsport dominated with their Porsche 911 GT3 Cup (992), completing 157 laps in 6:02:03.638 at an average speed of 137.39 km/h.
  • Fastest lap in class: 1:56.731, set by Julian Hanses of QMMF by HRT on lap 127.

• Podium Finishers:

  • Second place: QMMF by HRT finished just over a minute behind the leaders.
  • Third place: Razoon - More Than Racing, completing 155 laps.

GT4 - GT4 Homologated Cars

• Winners:

  • Simpson Motorsport (BMW M4 GT4) secured first place, completing 144 laps in 6:02:22.927 at an average speed of 125.91 km/h.

• Fastest Lap:

  • Cameron Mcleod of Continental TTR Racing set a class record with a time of 2:03.091 on lap 114.

GTX - Special GT Cars

• Winners:

  • Saalocin by Kox Racing (KTM X-BOW GT2) claimed victory, completing 152 laps in 6:02:46.307.

• Fastest Lap:

  • Scott Sport set a blistering pace with a lap time of 1:55.013 on lap 4.

TCE - Touring Car Endurance

• Winners:

  • CHAZEL Technologie Course (Alpine A110 Cup) completed 135 laps to secure the top spot in the TCX class.

• Fastest Lap:

  • Ivan Ovsienko of CHAZEL Technologie Course clocked the fastest lap at 2:09.368 on lap 106.

Penalties and Adjustments

Several teams incurred penalties, including time penalties and lap deductions. Notable examples:

• #33 (Optimum Motorsport): 40-second penalty.
• #77 (EBM) & #748 (Saalocin Racing): Lap deductions.

Key Takeaways

The event highlighted the prowess of seasoned drivers and the advanced engineering of their machines. Axcil Jefferies' record lap in the GT3 class was a standout moment, showcasing the Ferrari 296 GT3's capability. Despite intense competition and penalties, the endurance and strategy of the winning teams prevailed.