Hertz Team Jota upsets the front-runners at Spa

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Hertz Team Jota’s Callum Ilott and Will Stevens took a surprise win in Saturday’s 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps, round three of the 2024 World Endurance Championship.

A well-timed pit stop just before a red flag, caused by a collision on the Kemmel Straight between Earl Bamber’s Cadillac and the #31 WRT BMW M4 LMGT3 of Sean Gelael, allowed Jota to jump ahead of their rivals, who were caught out on strategy.

The win marks Jota's first-ever triumph in the WEC’s top-class Hypercar category while it was also the first victory of a two-driver pairing in the category since 2014.

The #6 Porsche Penske 963 driven by Kevin Estre, Andre Lotterer, and Laurens Vanthoor managed to secure second place, with the #50 works Ferrari 499P of Miguel Molina, Antonio Fuoco, and Nicklas Nielsen completing the podium.

Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.