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A Decade of Speed: Spa-Francorchamps Prepares for ELMS Milestone
As the European Le Mans Series celebrates ten years of racing in the Ardennes, 47 entries prepare for a pivotal fourth round with championship battles reaching a fever pitch.
By Michael de Vries - 2026-08-20T11:31:00.000Z - 3 min read
The European Le Mans Series (ELMS) heads to Belgium this week for the 4 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps, marking a significant milestone for the circuit: ten years of hosting the endurance championship. Since its integration into the calendar in 2016, the event has grown into a cornerstone of the season, and this year’s anniversary edition brings a robust field of 47 cars and 140 drivers to one of the most challenging tracks in world motorsport.
With the 2026 season reaching its halfway point, the pressure on the four competing classes is palpable. The standings reveal a series of tight margins that suggest the pecking order at the front of the grid is far from settled. As round four of six, the race in the Ardennes serves as a critical juncture for those looking to build momentum before the final sprint to the season finale.
In the LMP2 category, United Autosports currently holds the upper hand. The trio of Ben Hanley, Grégoire Saucy, and Griffin Peebles leads the table with 58 points, but their cushion is thin. Forestier Racing by Panis, spearheaded by the driving squad of Esteban Masson, Louis Rousset, and Oliver Gray, trails by only six points. With two victories already under their belt this season, the Forestier team appears to be the primary threat to the United Autosports campaign.
The LMP2 Pro/Am division is perhaps even more precarious, featuring a dead heat at the top. The Algarve Pro Racing crew and the Vector Sport entry share 43 points apiece, creating a high-stakes standoff. Behind them, the Duqueine Team and AF Corse remain within striking distance, ensuring that any technical error or tactical oversight during the four-hour endurance test could trigger a significant shift in the championship hierarchy.
Competition in the LMP3 and LMGT3 ranks is similarly compressed. Rinaldi Racing has clawed its way to the front of the LMP3 standings with 49 points, holding a narrow eight-point lead over Inter Europol Competition. In LMGT3, the picture is equally volatile, as only four points separate the top three crews. TF Sport’s Corvette currently holds the slim advantage, but with different winners across the first three rounds, consistency will be the deciding factor in Belgium.
As teams finalize their setups for the unique demands of Spa-Francorchamps, the event remains a vital proving ground for the FIA WEC pathway. Fans can follow the progression of these battles live via the FIAWEC+ platform, which provides comprehensive coverage of the event as the field navigates the iconic corners of the circuit during this landmark anniversary weekend.