Richard Lietz emerged as the winner of the #91 Manthey Porsche 911 at the 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps, the third round of the FIA World Endurance Championship 2024. The race was action-packed and lasted a total of 7 hours and 44 minutes, resulting in a dramatic narrative that affected both the WRT BMW M4 LMGT3 teams. Despite the interruptions, the leaders engaged in an exciting battle that showcased the intense competition of GT3 racing on a global scale.
At the start of the race, Ahmad Al Harthy, driver of the #46 BMW, couldn’t hold onto his second-place position as he was overtaken by James Cottingham in the United Autosports #59 McLaren 720S GT3 EVO. Pole position Sarah Bovy demonstrated impressive qualifying pace and took control of the race, building a substantial lead despite interruptions caused by safety car periods and red flags.
Throughout the race, various incidents and battles unfolded among the competitors. Tom Van Rumpay in the TF Sport #82 Corvette Z06 GT3.R engaged in an intense battle for sixth place with Alex Malykhin in the Manthey #92 Porsche 911 GT3.R. Francesco Castellacci in the AF Corse #54 Ferrari 296 made a smart move after La Source to overtake Clement Mateau in the D’station Racing #777 AMR Vantage.
The battle for positions four to seven involved four different manufacturers, with Al Harthy, Ian James in the Heart of Racing #27 Aston Martin, Castellacci, and Malykhin fighting for position. James and Castellacci managed to pressure Al Harthy, resulting in a successful overtaking maneuver at the bus-stop chicane.
The first safety car period occurred when Al Harthy collided with the left side barrier, causing damage to both his car and the JOTA #38 Porsche 963 driven by Phil Hanson. The safety car period erased Bovy’s advantage, allowing Nicolas Costa in the United Autosports #59 McLaren to make a move on Rahel Frey in the Iron Dames #85 Lamborghini. The battle between them continued, with Frey eventually regaining the lead in the LMGT3 class.
The race saw several incidents and retirements, with Sebastien Baud in the TF Sport #82 Corvette suffering a tire puncture and Erwan Bastard in the D’station #777 Aston Martin defending against Clemens Schmid in the Akkodis ASP #78 Lexus RC F. Unfortunately, the TF Sport #81 Corvette had to retire from the race, and the United Autosports #95 McLaren had a suspected gearbox failure.
As the race progressed, Frey once again took the lead for the Iron Dames, aiming for her second WEC victory and first in the LMGT3 category. However, the most dramatic moment occurred when Earl Bamber in the Cadillac Hypercar misjudged a maneuver on Neel Jani in the Proton Competition #99 Porsche 963. The collision between Bamber and Sean Gelael in car #31 resulted in significant barrier replacement, leading to a delay of 1 hour and 44 minutes.
Despite the challenges and interruptions, Richard Lietz and his Manthey #91 Porsche 911 EMA teammates Yasser Shahin and Morris Schuring emerged victorious, securing their first WEC victory of the year. The Manthey #92 Porsche 911 PureRxing, driven by Alex Malykhin, Joel Sturm, and Klaus Bachler, finished in second place, followed by the Iron Lynx #60 Lamborghini Huracan GT3 EVO2 crew of Claudio Schiavoni, Matteo Cressoni, and Franck Perera. The Iron Dames #85 and the United Autosports #59 McLaren completed the top five positions.
© 2024
The football star, Cristiano Ronaldo, is back at Manchester United. After 12 years since his departure from the club, the Portuguese player signed a two-year contract with the Red Devils. The news was received with enthusiasm by fans and the coaching staff, who believe Ronaldo’s return will bring a great boost to the team.
Ronaldo, 36 years old, is considered one of the greatest football players of all time. His signing by Manchester United is seen as a major achievement for the club, which aims to regain its prominent position on the international stage. The player brings with him a vast experience and an impressive history of achievements, including five UEFA Champions League titles.
Ronaldo’s transfer to Manchester United was made possible thanks to an agreement between the English club and Juventus, where the player had been playing since 2018. The transfer fee was not disclosed, but it is speculated to be one of the largest in football history. The news of Ronaldo’s return to the club where he achieved great success at the beginning of his career was received with great enthusiasm by the fans.
Ronaldo’s signing is seen as a major boost for Manchester United, which aims to regain its place among the top teams in Europe. With his skill and experience, the player may be the missing piece to bring the club back to the top. The expectation is that his presence on the field will inspire the other players and bring a new level of competitiveness to the team.
Ronaldo’s return to Manchester United is also seen as an opportunity for the player to end his career at the club where it all began. After stints at Real Madrid and Juventus, the player returns to the place where he became a football legend. The fans hope to relive the moments of glory and success that Ronaldo brought to the club in his first spell.
Signing Cristiano Ronaldo for Manchester United is a milestone in the club’s history and football in general. The expectation is that the player will bring not only his skills on the field, but also his influence and leadership to the team. With his arrival, Manchester United hopes to once again compete for titles and write a new chapter of success in its history.
