Schandorff on the Podium After Heartbreaking Finish at Spa

Devastation for the Dane, who was on course for a class victory in the 24-hour race before a puncture just minutes from the finish dropped the team to second place.

A podium result in the 24 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps is a strong achievement, but for Frederik Schandorff, this year’s second place came as a bitter disappointment. After nearly 24 hours of relentless racing, the Danish driver and his teammates from Garage 59 were leading their class in the Belgian endurance classic—only to suffer a puncture with just seven minutes remaining, losing the victory.

"It’s a terrible feeling to lead such a big race and then lose it with only three laps to go. It’s heartbreaking. It’s going to take some time to bounce back from this,” said a dejected Frederik Schandorff.

The Dane, who normally competes in the American IMSA series with Ferrari squad Inception Racing, joined the British McLaren team Garage 59 at Spa. Called up on short notice, he stepped in as a fourth driver in the Gold Cup class, aiming to help the team secure victory.

The team showed strong form during the lead-up to the race, with Schandorff outperforming several factory drivers from the Pro Cup category in qualifying. His efforts helped secure sixth on the Gold Cup grid for the team’s McLaren 720S GT3.

Challenges, however, quickly emerged. Not long after the race began, teammate Dean McDonald spun in traffic, dropping the team to the back of the 70-car field. To make matters worse, a malfunctioning drinks system made the extreme temperatures even harder to endure.

Despite the setbacks, the team mounted an impressive comeback. In the final hours of the race, Garage 59 had clawed their way back to the front—thanks in large part to a charging Frederik Schandorff, who made up several positions in his stints and snatched the lead from the Aston Martin that ultimately went on to win. But just seven minutes before the checkered flag, a puncture forced the team to pit, costing them the victory.

“Everyone can agree we drove an incredible race this weekend. We fought our way back from last place in one of the world’s toughest GT races and managed to take the lead. The crew did a fantastic job from start to finish, and even though we’re deeply disappointed, we also have every reason to be proud of our performance. I hope I get the chance to come back and fight for revenge next year,” Schandorff added.

Next up for the Danish driver is round seven of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, taking place at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park on July 13.