Abt Sportsline risks losing Nürburgring 24 Hours second place
Result Under Threat
Almost two weeks after the conclusion of the Nürburgring 24 Hours, the race's podium remains under threat. Abt Sportsline face the prospect of losing their second-place finish following a technical inspection that has raised serious questions over the power output of their Lamborghini entry.
The #84 Lamborghini Huracán GT3 Evo2 — driven by Mirko Bortolotti, Patric Niederhauser, and polesitter Luca Engstler — is alleged to have produced around 20 horsepower above the maximum permissible values in a dyno test conducted on Tuesday. With an estimated output of approximately 500hp, the permissible tolerance stands at just two per cent, equating to a margin of no more than 10hp. The suspected excess doubles that allowance.
A Protracted Investigation
The inspection process has not been straightforward. The Abt Lamborghini initially could not be tested due to a faulty clutch. Following supervised repairs, a new measurement was conducted at a test centre in Mechernich. Testing on Tuesday extended until 6 pm as a result of the observed irregularities, while a further measurement on Wednesday also failed to produce a valid result due to a technical defect on the vehicle.
The technical commissioners have since forwarded their report to the race commissioners, who will afford the team the opportunity to respond. The results remain subject to change until the process concludes.
As context for just how much attention the Nürburgring 24 Hours is attracting, George Russell has spoken publicly about his ambition to race there one day, illustrating the enduring appeal of the event beyond its sporting controversies.
A race spokesperson confirmed that checks on five other cars — from Aston Martin, BMW, Ford, Mercedes-AMG, and Porsche — returned no irregularities.
Potential Consequences
Should the team ultimately face disqualification, Abt Sportsline would have 96 hours to appeal to the German Motorsport Federation. If the sanction is upheld, the results would shift significantly: Walkenhorst Motorsport, fielding an Aston Martin Vantage, would be elevated to second, while Rowe Racing with the BMW M4 would inherit third place.
The outcome of the commissioners' deliberations is yet to be determined, leaving one of the Nürburgring 24 Hours' most prominent results hanging in the balance.
Simone Scanu
He’s a software engineer with a deep passion for Formula 1 and motorsport. He co-founded Formula Live Pulse to make live telemetry and race insights accessible, visual, and easy to follow.