Nathan Vanspringel Shows Strong Pace in a Demanding Spa Weekend

Spa-Francorchamps is never just another race weekend. It is one of those circuits where everything feels bigger: the speed, the pressure, the history, and sometimes even the weather. During the 2026 CrowdStrike 24 Hours of Spa weekend, the Ardennes delivered an especially demanding challenge, with intense heat adding another layer of difficulty for both drivers and teams.

For Nathan Vanspringel, racing in the GT4 European Series with Academy Motorsport, it was another important step in his 2026 campaign. Sharing the Ford Mustang S650 GT4 Number 61 with Erik Evans, Nathan arrived at Spa Francorchamps as part of a strong Ford Racing Development environment and with the motivation to perform on home soil.

From the beginning of the weekend, the pace was there.

In Race 1, Nathan and Erik delivered a solid and competitive performance, bringing the Academy Motorsport Mustang home in 7th place. In changing and tricky conditions, Nathan stood out with a committed stint, showing confidence, race craft and determination on one of the most demanding tracks in Europe.

Race 2 looked even more promising. Erik Evans produced an excellent drive and moved the 61 Mustang up to 3rd place, running just behind the leading BMW and McLaren. A podium finish was no longer just a hope, it was clearly within reach.

Unfortunately, Spa has a way of testing every detail. During the fight at the front, the Mustang suffered damage to the front splitter. The team did everything possible to keep the car in contention, but when Nathan took over, he inherited a car that was no longer able to perform at its full potential. Despite the effort from both driver and team, the car was eventually forced back to the pits with around ten minutes remaining.

Of course, that was a frustrating end to a race that had held so much promise. But the bigger picture remains a very positive one. Nathan and Erik showed that they had the speed to fight near the front in a highly competitive GT4 European Series field. At Spa, in difficult heat and under real pressure, the 61 Mustang was not just participating, it was fighting for a podium.

For Nathan, this weekend was another sign of progress. The final result may not fully reflect the potential shown on track, but the performance certainly does. Strong pace, confidence in the car, and the ability to compete at the sharp end all made Spa 2026 an important chapter in his season.

Sometimes racing does not give you the result you deserve.

But it can still show exactly where you belong.

And at Spa, Nathan Vanspringel showed that he belongs in the fight.