Two second place finishes for W&S Motorsport in the GT4 European Series at Spa-Francorchamps

Hendrik Still in the #30 RODOPI Porsche Cayman GT4 started the first race of the weekend from seventh position and third place in the Pro-Am in a record field of 60 GT4 cars on the tradition-steeped circuit in the Ardennes. After an early safety car phase, Still skilfully defended himself against the pursuers and gained positions. After twelve laps he headed for the pit lane for the mandatory stop with driver change and Max Kronberg took over the wheel of the #30. After renewed incidents and extended time behind the safety car, Kronberg crossed the finish line after 20 race laps in eighth place overall and second in Pro-Am. 

The Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS Clubsport #442, driven by US-American Taylor Hagler and Swiss Gustavo Xavier, started the one-hour race on Friday from 38th position. In the middle of the large field of competitors, starting driver Xavier had to keep an overview and act accordingly prudently. Early in the ten-minute pit stop window, he handed over the cockpit to Taylor Hagler, who drove the #442 Porsche Cayman GT4 to a 43rd-place finish and eleventh in Pro-Am. 

Race six of the GT4 European Series season was started at 13:15 on Saturday behind the safety car due to heavy rain. Max Kronberg was on the grid in 26th position and third in the Pro-Am with the #30. After two laps led by the safety car, the competition was opened and Kronberg was able to close into the top 20 in the course of his stint despite two more safety car phases. In second place in class, he handed over the wheel to Hendrik Still after eleven laps. He showed his skills at the wheel and was in first place in the class for a while. In 14th place overall and second in Pro-Am, he passed the black-white-checkered flag after 21 laps.

Taylor Hagler in the Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS Clubsport #442 sorted herself into 49th position on the grid. She managed to gain positions in the first laps. At the same time as the sister car in 43rd place, the US-American came into the pit lane and Gustavo Xavier took over the car with the #442. Xavier worked his way forward in the field and into the points of the class. Finishing 30th and sixth in the Pro-Am, the driver duo and the team were delighted to score points in the class.

In just two weeks, from 14 to 16 July 2023, Misano will be the fourth stop of the GT4 European Series. On the track in Italy, W&S Motorsport wants to attack again and fight for podium finishes. 

Quotes after the race 

Daniel Schellhaas, Team Principal W&S Motorsport: "Second place twice in the Pro-Am is a remarkable result after the two tough races and in such a large field. Max and Hendrik drove strongly and were ultimately rewarded for their performances. Taylor's learning curve is impressive. She was contesting only her second GT4 race and for the first time at Spa-Francorchamps. She and Gustavo scored points in the standings on Saturday, so we are very happy about that. Now we are already looking ahead to Misano. We will go full throttle there again and fight for even better results." 

Max Kronberg, Driver #30: "The famous Ardennes rollercoaster in Spa is always a spectacular track and a great challenge every time. Even though both races have been tough, things have always been fair and I am very happy with two podium finishes. Here a big praise and thank you to the team of W&S Motorsport for strong work and a perfect strategy. The Pro-Am standings are still close together. We want to score the maximum points again in Italy to get closer to the top in the championship."

Gustavo Xavier, Driver #442: "Spa-Francorchamps always challenges drivers and material. Even though the track is very long, a field of 60 GT4 cars is a challenge there, with or without rain. I think we have continued to make progress and take points with us. Thanks to W&S Motorsport and Taylor for two exciting races."