HH Shaikh Isa bin Abdullah’s motorsport team secures gold at CrowdStrike 24 Hours Race in Belgium

Belgium, July 1 (BNA):  2 Seas Motorsport, owned by His Highness Shaikh Isa bin Abdullah bin Hamad Al Khalifa, recorded a historic achievement at the CrowdStrike 24 Hours of Spa, securing the Gold Cup title and placing ninth overall in one of the world’s most demanding endurance races.  Held at the iconic Spa-Francorchamps Circuit in Belgium, the event featured over 70 GT3-class entries from elite global teams.

Marking a key milestone in the team’s international racing journey, this victory reflects the consistent progress of 2 Seas Motorsport on the global motorsport stage and highlights the capabilities of Bahraini teams in top-tier competition.

HH Shaikh Isa bin Abdullah bin Hamad expressed pride in the team’s achievement, considering the victory in such a prestigious and challenging race to be a defining moment for 2 Seas Motorsport.  He attributed the success to the exceptional efforts of the entire team, including drivers, engineers, and management staff, and noted that both the class win and the team’s strong overall finish underscore the professionalism and strategic excellence that have become hallmarks of the team’s operations.

HH Shaikh Isa bin Abdullah further emphasised that this victory stands as evidence of Bahrain’s ability to compete at the highest levels of global motorsport.  He thanked the team's sponsors and supporters, and reaffirmed the team's commitment to maintaining strong momentum throughout the remainder of the season.

HH Shaikh Isa bin Abdullah noted that the team will pursue even greater ambitions in the upcoming rounds of the championship, particularly in the next race at the Nürburgring circuit in Germany.

In this edition of the 24-hour race, the team competed with two entries across two categories, marking its largest participation at Spa to date.

The #33 Mercedes-AMG GT3, entered in partnership with Verstappen.com Racing and driven by Harry King, Chris Lulham, and Thierry Vermeulen, led the Gold Cup category during critical phases of the race, including the 6- and 12-hour marks, and reclaimed the lead in the closing hours to secure the team's first-ever class win in a 24-hour endurance event.

Meanwhile, the #222 Mercedes-AMG GT3, driven by Charles Dawson, Kiern Joyce, Parker Thompson, and Lewis Williamson, overcame numerous challenges, including track limit violations and unscheduled pit stops, to finish 7th in the Bronze Cup and 26th overall, having gained 26 positions over the course of the race.

The team’s performance came amidst the second week of Spa Speedweek, organized by SRO Motorsports Group, and under extreme conditions, with track temperatures exceeding 50 C.  Despite variable weather and technical hurdles during practice and qualifying, the team demonstrated high-level professionalism and operational precision, further reinforcing its reputation as one of the most ambitious teams in European GT racing.

The #33 car had shown promising pace during qualifying, reaching the Superpole shootout and securing second in class and 13th overall.  During the race, the car took the lead in the early hours and held it through key time checkpoints, eventually retaking the lead in hour 21 following a decisive move on the Kemmel Straight by Harry King.

This result further strengthens 2 Seas Motorsport’s lead in the Gold Cup standings of the GT World Challenge Europe – Endurance Cup and adds to the team’s growing list of international accolades.  With this victory, the Bahraini-owned team has reinforced its position as a leading competitor on the European motorsport circuit, and remains focused on sustaining its performance in the upcoming round at Nürburgring in August.