Team MS7 by WRT produced a flawless display to take victory at the Hankook 24H Dubai.

On January 15, 79 cars from twelve different manufacturers lined up in glorious sunshine. Right from the start, the pole-sitters in the #7 Audi R8 LMS GT3 and the second Team WRT car (#31) established themselves in the leading group. The number 75, 4 and 777 Mercedes-AMG GT3 and the number 92 Porsche 911 GT3 R were also in contention at the front of the field.

The race developed into an internal battle for the lead between the two Audis. After two-thirds of the race distance, the eventual winners were able to pull clear, thanks to flawless stints and perfect pit stops. They then produced a commanding performance to defend their lead to the finish.

After 596 laps of racing, Christopher Mies took the chequered flag at the wheel of the number 7 Audi R8 LMS GT3. In doing so, he secured the second overall victory alongside team-mates Dries Vanthoor, Mohammed Saud Fahad al Saud, Axcil Jefferies and Thomas Neubauer, having previously won the prestigious desert marathon in 2016.

2:08.618 minutes later, the number 31 Audi R8 LMS GT3, with the crew of Benjamin Goethe, Arnold and Maxime Robin, Jean-Baptiste Simmenauer and Frédéric Vervisch, crossed the finish line in second place to make it an Audi one-two. Third place went to the Mercedes-AMG GT3 (#75) run by the SunEnergy1 by SPS team.

This was Hankook’s eighth year as title sponsor and exclusive tire partner of the 24-hour classic, which not only traditionally kicks off the 24H Series powered by Hankook, but also forms the opening round of the international endurance season.

As in previous years, the teams and drivers were able to defend fully on the tried-and-tested, high-end Ventus Race tire at the 5.39-kilometer Dubai Autodrome.