Estre, Pilet, Vanthoor Join HubAuto for 24H Spa

HubAuto Racing has announced its driver lineup for the CrowdStrike 24 Hours of Spa, comprising factory Porsche racers Kevin Estre, Patrick Pilet and Laurens Vanthoor.

The Taiwanese outfit will be making its first appearance in the Belgian endurance classic since 2021, and its first with a Porsche 911 GT3 R.

It will mark HubAuto’s first appearance in the Intercontinental GT Challenge of the season after it was forced to withdraw from February’s Repco Bathurst 12 Hour, where Estre and Pilet were due to drive for the team.

“We are looking forward to racing again at the 24 Hours of Spa and are excited about our Porsche driver lineup: Kevin, Patrick and Laurens,” said team owner Morris Chen. “This trio have incredible synergy and combined with our team, we are very capable contenders.

“As a team, we are determined to leave this historic event with a podium finish.”

Porsche LMDh stars Estre and Vanthoor both have an overall 24H Spa win apiece to their credit, Estre having been part of GPX Racing’s winning lineup in 2019 and Vanthoor having tasted victory the following year with ROWE Racing.

“I’m very much looking forward to competing in 24 Hours of Spa again with HubAuto Racing and can’t wait to get out on track,” commented Estre.

“I’m confident that we will have a good car and with a strong team behind us, I believe we can fight at the front of the field.”

Vanthoor added: “It’s always one of the highlights of the year and for me personally it’s a local race as well so I can’t wait for it! Having won back in 2020, it would be so special to do that again.

“We have a very talented driver line-up and I think when you bring this together with a good team and car, we have a shot at winning it.”

ROWE’s 2020 win with Vanthoor, Earl Bamber and Nick Tandy remains the last time Porsche won the 24H Spa.