GT2 Europe: Laura Kraihamer clinches podium after epic recovery in Zandvoort
- RACERS
- 3 hours ago
- 5 min read
"This is an achievement that goes beyond driving on a podium" - Laura Kraihamer and Mat'o Homola delivered a stunning comeback drive to secure a podium in Race 1 at Zandvoort after a last-minute car rebuild, showcasing great pace and team spirit in the second round of GT2 European Series.
After a remarkable recovery drive in Race 1 at Zandvoort, Laura Kraihamer secured her second-ever podium in the GT2 European Series. The Austrian—who shares the #89 RTR Projects KTM X-Bow GT2 with Mat'o Homola—displayed front-running pace throughout the weekend.
Kraihamer's third-place finish, however, was much more than a podium: it represented an incredible achievement for the whole team, who rebuilt the car in just three hours after a qualifying crash. Their hard work allowed Kraihamer to take the start of the weekend’s first race in a competitive car that again put her and Homola in contention for the ProAm podium.
Kraihamer returned to the GT2 European Series after a strong season opener at Circuit Paul Ricard, where she joined RTR Projects for a new challenge, once again at the wheel of KTM machinery.
Having first entered the GT2 European Series in 2022, Kraihamer returned the the series in 2024, when she secured multiple top-five finishes and claimed her first podium at Monza, ultimately placing sixth in the ProAm standings.
Her new partnership with Mat'o Homola in the ProAm class presents a great opportunity to showcase her talent as part of a powerful duo capable of fighting at the front. Despite battling misfortunes in the first two rounds, their performances have already demonstrated their potential.
Despite limited pre-season testing, Kraihamer and Homola were immediately on the pace at the French season opener, where Laura delivered a standout stint, charging from fifth to second overall in mixed weather conditions. Although a technical issue in Race 2 denied them a podium chance on Sunday, the pair returned at Zandvoort eager to capitalize on their speed—and their performance was again strong from the outset.
In the official practice session, the #89 RTR Projects KTM was third-fastest overall, with Homola clocking a 1:38.274 lap in a very tight top three, separated by just three-tenths of a second.
In Pre-Qualifying, they again ran third in class, improving to a best lap of 1:37.992 that showed strong promise ahead of qualifying on Saturday morning.
Kraihamer took the wheel for Q1 and quickly went to the top of the timesheets, before the #7 Maserati of Pampanini edged ahead. Despite getting caught in traffic on her next lap, Kraihamer improved to a 1:40.1 to retake second place but was again held up. She then delivered an excellent 1:38.105 lap to go fastest in ProAm and was pushing for overall pole with a fastest first sector—but a spin in the final sector sent her into the gravel and into the barriers at high speed, bringing out the red flag. Her fastest lap was deleted for causing the red flag, but her second-best time still secured her third overall on the grid and second in class.
RTR Projects then became the protagonists of an extraordinary effort. The team decided to switch to a spare chassis and fully rebuilt the car in under three hours before the race. It was a race against time—but they completed the task just in time for Laura Kraihamer to start from the pit lane.
As the race began, Philippe Prette led overall ahead of Bronek Formanek and Alberto De Martin, while Kraihamer, delayed by the late start, eventually joined the race 24 seconds behind the pack.
She quickly got up to speed, improving her lap times every tour. Soon running in the 1:40s and then into the 1:39s, Kraihamer was lapping at podium pace. By lap 8, she had slashed the gap to the pack from 24 to 13 seconds, running as fast as the top two overall.
Two seconds per lap quicker than the cars ahead, Kraihamer continued to close the gap, and by lap 13 she had caught the #24 AKF Motorsport Lamborghini of Oliver Freymuth. She passed him at the final corner to move up to P7 overall and fourth in class as the pit window opened.
She pitted one lap later, handing the car to Mat'o Homola and celebrating with the RTR Projects crew for their incredible work after the pit stop.
A quick stop saw Homola rejoin in P6 overall and third in ProAm, having leapfrogged the #7 Maserati of Mauro Calamia in the pit cycle. Homola maintained a steady pace in the 1:40s, holding off pressure from Calamia. Although the Maserati eventually passed him on lap 25 using superior straight-line speed, Homola stayed close, dipping into the 1:39s and catching up to Montserrat ahead.
Calamia overtook Montserrat for second place, and Homola seized the opportunity to fight back. As the Spanish driver battled lapped AM traffic, Homola made a bold move around the outside to reclaim third in ProAm and fifth overall after a thrilling duel. He then cleared teammate Petr Lisa's AM-class RTR Mercedes for fourth overall and ran a 1:39.9 to finish strongly.
Homola crossed the finish line fourth overall and third in ProAm, securing Laura Kraihamer’s second GT2 European Series podium—a result widely celebrated as a testament to teamwork after a rollercoaster day. Kraihamer had driven a monster stint with no safety car assistance to help her catch back the pack, reducing a 30-second gap to the field, setting the car’s fastest lap, and handing it over in podium contention.
"This is this is more than a P3", Kraihamer said. "It's about the whole team effort, teamwork - it's an achievement that goes beyond driving on a podium; it's keeping your head up high."
"It was an incredible effort from each and everyone", the Austrian continued, grateful to the entire team. "Everybody showed 100% hands on and it was really mega. The team also gave me the comfort after the accident to feel good in the car. For them to trust me to drive the car, it shows how much they count on me as a driver", the Austrian added. "And that is a great feeling."
After the well-earned podium, the team had another chance to shine in Race 2 on Sunday morning, with Homola starting from the back of the grid once again. The field completed an extra formation lap due to low track temperatures.
At the green flag, pole-sitter Montserrat got a slow getaway and was passed by Stefan Rosina and Mauro Calamia. Homola took the inside line and overtook the #53 Akkodis Mercedes of Bourret, then cleared the #24 Lamborghini of Freymuth and was soon chasing down the #1 LP Racing Maserati.
Unfortunately, a technical issue struck the #89 KTM. Homola lost pace and dropped to the back, a lap down. He initially tried to stay out, but worsening issues forced him to pit on lap 5. Despite the team’s efforts, the race was over due to an electrical failure.
It was an unfortunate ending to an otherwise remarkable and competitive weekend for RTR Projects. Still, Laura Kraihamer and Mato Homola had shown again front-running speed at Zandvoort, with their spectacular Race 1 comeback one of the weekend’s most memorable stories.
“We really have huge potential if everything comes together,” Kraihamer concluded. “We’ve been lucky enough to show at Paul Ricard and here that we have the pace. I hope we get the chance again to prove it.”
The next round of the GT2 European Series will take place at the legendary Spa-Francorchamps circuit, as part of the 24 Hours of Spa support program, on 26–29 June.
