ELMS Heads to Spa-Francorchamps for 10th Anniversary Amid Tight Title Fights

The European Le Mans Series is set for its fourth round of the 2026 season with the 4 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps, marking a significant milestone as the event celebrates its tenth anniversary. Introduced in 2016, the Belgian race has grown into a pivotal fixture, and this year it hosts a robust entry of 47 cars and 140 drivers from 30 different nations. As the championship moves past its halfway point, the competition across all four classes remains exceptionally close, promising a crucial contest at the iconic circuit.

In the fiercely competitive LMP2 category, United Autosports currently holds a slender advantage. The crew of Ben Hanley, Grégoire Saucy, and Griffin Peebles, driving the #22 Oreca 07-Gibson, lead the standings with 58 points. Their nearest challengers, Esteban Masson, Louis Rousset, and Oliver Gray in the #29 Forestier Racing by Panis Oreca, are just six points adrift on 52. Forestier Racing has demonstrated strong form this season, securing victories in two of the initial three races, which sets the stage for a potential shift in the championship hierarchy at Spa.

The battle for supremacy in LMP2 Pro/Am is even tighter, with a dead heat at the top. Michael Jensen, Enzo Trulli, and Malthe Jakobsen of Algarve Pro Racing, in the #20 entry, share the lead with Jens Reno Møller, Cem Bölükbaşı, and Lorenzo Fluxá from Vector Sport, driving the #7 car. Both teams arrive in Belgium with 43 points, having each claimed a victory this season. Not far behind, the Duqueine Team’s Doriane Pin, Richard Verschoor, and Giorgio Roda sit third with 38 points, while AF Corse, with François Perrodo, Matthieu Vaxiviere, and Antonio Fuoco, are also within striking distance on 36 points.

LMP3 also features a highly condensed championship picture. Rinaldi Racing’s Alvise Rodella, Jose Fernandes Cautela, and Mikkel Gaarde Pedersen lead the class with 49 points in their #5 Ligier. They are just eight points clear of Alex Bukhantsov, Henry Cubides Olarte, and Chun Ting Chou in the #13 Inter Europol Competition entry, who are on 41 points. Reigning class champions CLX Motorsport, with Paul Lanchere, Alexander Jacoby, and Louis Iglesias, recently celebrated a win at Imola and occupy third place with 40 points, placing only nine points between the top three contenders.

The LMGT3 class has seen varied success, with three different cars taking victory in the opening three rounds. Heading into Spa, the #33 Corvette Z06 LMGT3.R of TF Sport, piloted by Blake McDonald, Alec Udell, and Charlie Eastwood, holds the top spot with 44 points. Their lead is marginal, with the #75 Proton Competition Porsche 911 GT3 R LMGT3 crew of Richard Lietz, Matt Kurzejewski, and Thomas Sargent trailing by a single point. Kessel Racing’s #57 Ferrari 296 LMGT3 Evo, driven by Takeshi Kimura, Daniel Serra, and Mathys Jaubert, sits third on 40 points. This close grouping suggests the Belgian round could significantly rearrange the points order.

With 11 LMP2 cars, 12 LMP2 Pro/Ams, 10 LMP3s, and 14 LMGT3s completing the grid, the 4 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps stands as a critical juncture in the 2026 ELMS season. As round four of six, the results from this race will carry considerable weight in defining the championship trajectories for all classes. The competition has proven relentless so far, and the tenth anniversary event on the challenging Spa circuit is expected to deliver another thrilling contest as teams push to gain a decisive advantage for the final two races.

Fans can follow all the action live through the official FIAWEC+ application, which provides comprehensive coverage and highlights from across the European Le Mans Series. The platform offers free access to live streams of ELMS races, ensuring enthusiasts do not miss any of the unfolding championship drama.

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