24 Hours of Spa: Rossi and Magnussen team-up, Where to Watch, Race Time and Preview

Written by Owen Bradley

Credit: SRO/JEP

To mark the third consecutive weekend of Endurance racing excitement, following the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the 24 Hours of the Nürburgring, the Intercontinental GT Challenge returns for the 24 Hours of Spa. In this article, you can find out where you can watch all the racing action, as well as the race time and an overall preview of this year's biggest storylines, like MotoGP Legend Valentino Rossi, teaming up with former Formula One driver Kevin Magnussen in the No.46 Team WRT BMW this weekend.

The Spa-Francorchamps Circuit

One of the most iconic venues in the world of motorsport, the Spa-Francorchamps Circuit has hosted many iconic races throughout its' history. The 24 Hours of Spa is one of the biggest races in the IGTC championship, and this race signifies the mid-point in the five-race season.

The most popular overtaking zones will likely be at Turn 1, the short run into the opening corner allows for cars to dive-bomb up the inside of other cars, which is also why this slow-speed right-hander also leads to many crashes and incidents for drivers throughout the field, especially if a car gets bunched and boxed in the midfield with know where to go.

The run into and through Raidillon and Eau Rouge also provide ample opportunities for overtaking, with cars running side-by-side on the opening lap, this series of corners may lead to further incidents. The run up the blind Eau Rouge is pivotal in gaining and maintaining momentum through to the Kemmel straight, a long straight where cars will have the opportunity to slipstream one another as they head into the slower, twistier section of Turns 5-7 at Les Combes, which is where most of the field should filter themselves through into single file for most of the middle sector.

If the cars do manage to get a good exit from Turn 8's Bruxelles and the first part of Pouhon, they may be able to find an opportunity to overtake at Turn 10's second part of Pouhon corner, the fast left-hander which flows directly on to the Fagnes Chicane, where the drivers will likely once again filter back into single file.

The final major overtaking spots will be through Blanchimont, the fast left-hander at Turns 16 and 17, which then leads to the last braking zone of the lap at the Bus Stop chicane, where many cars may attempt to dive to the inside.

This circuit gives drivers a lot of chances and opportunities, but it's a circuit which demands respect from drivers. There are tight corners with gravel traps on the exits of corners and subsequently, if a driver is pushing and runs offline, this track can punish them, sometimes severely.

Valentino Rossi and Kevin Magnussen Team-Up for the 24 Hours of Spa

Credit: Team WRT and the FIA World Endurance Championship

Following on from heartbreak at the 24 Hours of Le Mans for BMW, which saw Rossi's No.46 BMW lead the LMGT3 class for almost half of the race before an electronic problem retired the car, the MotoGP Legend returns for another prestigious Endurance race this weekend, this time teaming up with Former Renault, Haas and McLaren driver, Kevin Magnussen.

This is also Team WRT's home race, and after a number of disappointing results so far this season across both the GT World Challenge and the World Endurance Championship, they will be looking to dominate the 24 Hours of Spa with this all-star line up, which also features René Rast as well.

The No.46 Team WRT BMW has already taken a podium at the Bathurst 12 Hours, and they also claimed a podium earlier this season at the WEC 6 Hours of Imola as well. All eyes are on Rossi, who makes his fourth start at the 24 Hours of Spa, having taken a best result of 6th place so far. Misfortune has often struck the No.46 BMW crew at this event, but they have often found themselves within contention for a podium going into the night time on Saturday, which is unfortunately also where things tend to fall apart in the years gone by. Perhaps this all-star line up will change their destiny this time around.

One thing is certain, the No.46 BMW this weekend is likely to be a fan favourite car.

BMW Launch all-out attack ahead of 24 Hours of Spa

BMW have won both the Bathurst 12 Hours and Nürburgring 24 Hours so far this season, the Bathurst race won by Team WRT and then Nürburgring won by the Rowe Racing crew. Therefore, as we come into the third race of the season, this race will likely be a bitter battle between the BMW's throughout the race, with the Porsche's and Mercedes' trying to keep up.

Where to Watch the 24 Hours of Spa, Race Time and Weather Forecast

The 24 Hours of Spa can be viewed LIVE and for Free on YouTube, with a LIVE broadcast active throughout the entire race on the YouTube channel: "GTWorld."

The race gets underway at 16:30 Belgian time, which translates to 15:30 UK time, on Saturday and finishes of course 24 hours later on Sunday afternoon.

Currently, it appears that the race should stay completely dry, however with the Spa-Francorchamps Circuit, you can never be too certain about the forecast. Last year, there was a heavy downpour which led to a lot of dramatic moments.

Owen's Predictions!

This year, I am predicting that we will see the No.46 Team WRT BMW take a dominant victory over the field. The reason I personally believe this, is due to the all-star line-up as well as their story of 2025 so far. Team WRT have got a lot of personal stakes in the fight this weekend, and will most certainly be looking to hold the trophy high on Sunday to erase the bitter feelings of two weeks ago.

DIVEBOMB LIVE Coverage of the 24 Hours of Spa 2025

As is the case with all WEC, IMSA Endurance and IGTC races, DIVEBOMB will have a LIVE coverage article featuring all the updates on the race, with some audience participation as well! Please do come and follow us along, we will be LIVE for the entire duration of the race.