Nurburgring 24 Hours result in doubt over disqualification threat
Almost two weeks after the Nürburgring 24 Hours, the results of that race are still not final. Technical investigations are focusing on the #84 Lamborghini Huracán of Abt Sportsline.
Almost two weeks after the Nürburgring 24 Hours, the finalizing of results remains unsettled as technical investigations continue to scrutinize the #84 Lamborghini Huracán GT3 Evo2 run by Abt Sportsline. The case at hand centers on a post-race dyno test that reportedly indicated a power output exceeding the allowed limit, raising the specter of a potential penalty that could alter the final standings.
Sources indicate that the car, driven by Mirko Bortolotti, Patric Niederhauser, and Luca Engstler who secured pole position, may have operated at roughly 20 horsepower above the authorized ceiling during the test conducted on Tuesday. Given the prescribed tolerance for the Nürburgring 24 Hours is two percent, and with an estimated baseline power around 500 horsepower, the upper threshold would be about 10 horsepower over the limit. The apparent discrepancy has prompted a closer look at the performance data and the measurement procedures used during the under-hood testing phase.
In the meantime, officials state that five other competitors—representing Aston Martin, BMW, Ford, Mercedes-AMG, and Porsche—underwent checks and were cleared of any irregularities. A race spokesperson confirmed that, after completing the checks on those cars, no anomalies were found, and the focus remains on the Lamborghini entry due to the earlier dyno result associated with its power output. The technical commissioners’ report has now been forwarded to the race commissioners, who will decide on next steps. Abt Sportsline and the car’s management will be given an opportunity to respond to the findings as part of the review process.
The Abt Lamborghini had initially been unavailable for inspection because of a faulty clutch, which necessitated supervised repairs before a fresh measurement could be carried out at a dedicated test center in Mechernich. The subsequent tests extended late into Tuesday, with officials continuing the evaluation until about 6 pm due to the discovery of irregularities. A follow-up measurement on Wednesday likewise failed to yield a conclusive result because of a separate technical defect affecting the vehicle. The rotating nature of the checks has left the results in limbo and the final classification of the race uncertain pending the outcome of these inquiries.
If the authorities decide to disqualify the Abt team, a potential pathway opens for Walkenhorst Motorsport, who ran an Aston Martin Vantage, and Rowe Racing, fielding a BMW M4, to move up to second and third place in the final standings. Such a shift would alter the podium configuration and the distribution of championship points, potentially impacting the momentum and momentum-based narratives that have shaped the season.
From a broader perspective, the Nürburgring 24 Hours remains a marquee endurance event where close technical scrutiny often follows the checkered flag. The ongoing process at Mechernich underscores how closely officials monitor compliance with the sport’s technical regulations and how even small deviations can trigger a cascade of reviews and potential penalties, sometimes long after the race has concluded. While the exact outcome is not yet known, the situation has heightened anticipation ahead of the announcement from the race commissioners, who will determine whether the #84 Lamborghini’s results stand as recorded or if adjustments must be made in light of the probe’s findings.
Fans, teams, and manufacturers alike are watching closely as the inquiry unfolds, recognizing that a ruling could redefine this year’s Nürburgring results and influence the strategies and morale of competitors as the season progresses. The next few days should reveal whether Abt Sportsline can defend its position, or if the competition’s dynamic will shift in favor of the other contenders currently poised to climb the podium.