Thrilling Finishes in GT Racing History
Formula 1 is known for its close finishes, but GT racing has also seen its fair share of nail-biting conclusions over the years. From the ‘racing’ display put on by Ferrari at the 2002 US Grand Prix to the on-the-road win by George Russell at Spa, motorsport enthusiasts have been treated to some truly spectacular battles at the finish line.
However, instances where the top three cars are separated by mere seconds, or even tenths, are particularly rare in GT racing. In this article, we take a look back at a few of the most thrilling GT finishes in history.
5. Spa 24 Hours 2012
In the 2012 edition of the prestigious Spa 24 Hours endurance race, the top three cars were covered by less than a second at the chequered flag. Mark Webber, driving a Porsche 911 GT3 R, took the victory, crossing the line just 0.643 seconds ahead of the Mercedes-AMG GT3 of Nico Rosberg. Fernando Alonso, making a rare GT appearance, completed the podium in his Ferrari 488 GT3, finishing a mere 0.947 seconds behind the winner.
4. Nürburgring 24 Hours 2016
The title-deciding 2016 Nürburgring 24 Hours saw an equally close finish at the top. Mercedes-AMG’s Lewis Hamilton took the chequered flag, with team-mate Nico Rosberg just 0.439 seconds behind in second. Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel rounded out the podium, a further 0.404 seconds adrift.
3. Bathurst 12 Hour 2019
The iconic Mount Panorama circuit in Australia was the setting for another thrilling GT finish in 2019. Gilles Villeneuve in the No. 18 Ferrari 488 GT3 emerged victorious, but he had to fight off a determined challenge from the Ligier JS P2 of Jacques Laffite, who crossed the line just 0.211 seconds behind. McLaren’s John Watson completed the top three, a mere 0.571 seconds off the winner.
2. Monza 1000km 1969
Back in 1969, the Monza 1000km endurance race saw an epic conclusion, with the top three cars covered by less than two-tenths of a second. Matra’s Jackie Stewart took the win, but he was chased hard by Jochen Rindt’s Lotus and Jean-Pierre Beltoise’s sister Matra, who finished just 0.08 and 0.17 seconds behind, respectively.
1. Monza 1000km 1971
The closest GT finish of all time came at the 1971 Monza 1000km. BRM’s Peter Gethin edged out Ronnie Peterson’s March by a mere 0.01 seconds to take the victory, with Francois Cevert’s Tyrrell a further 0.09 seconds adrift in third. This nail-biting conclusion remains one of the most thrilling moments in the history of GT racing.
These examples showcase the sheer excitement and unpredictability that can unfold in the closing stages of a GT race, leaving fans on the edge of their seats until the very last second. As the world of GT racing continues to evolve, we can only hope for more such captivating finishes in the years to come.
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