Mercedes-AMG Customer Racing is entering the 51st running of the ADAC TotalEnergies 24h Race at the Nürburgring with the clear goal of claiming the third overall win after its victories in 2013 and 2016. There are numerous opponents: the provisional entry list for this year’s 24-hour race at the Nordschleife includes a total of 32 cars in the SP9 class, all competing for the overall win. Among them, there are six Mercedes-AMG GT3s. As a result, Mercedes-AMG Customer Racing is among those with the largest contingent in the top class. Mercedes-AMG Team GetSpeed already underlined AMG’s high ambitions during the ADAC 24h Nürburgring Qualifiers in April: in the two qualifying races, Adam Christodoulou (GBR) and Daniel Juncadella (ESP) scored one victory and a second place.
To reach that ambitious goal, four Mercedes-AMG GT3 will receive extended support from Mercedes-AMG as Performance Cars. Mercedes-AMG Team GetSpeed has opted for a mix of speed, experience and continuity to claim the overall win. Compared to the previous running of the race, the driver trios in the team’s two GT3 race cars remain unchanged: last year’s runners-up Adam Christodoulou, Maximilian Götz (GER) and Fabian Schiller (GER) will race the Mercedes-AMG GT3 with starting number 2. Drivers of the sister car will be Maro Engel (GER), Jules Gounon (AND) and Daniel Juncadella. In 2022, they finished in third place. This year, the car with starting number 3 will start with a special design, which will be presented to the public for the first time during the ADAC TotalEnergies 24h Race. Designed as “Beast of the Green Hell”, it is a special tribute to the myth of the “Green Hell”.
The other two Performance Cars will be run by Mercedes-AMG Team BILSTEIN. The car with starting number 4, equally with a line-up only consisting of top-notch drivers, will be raced by the three Mercedes-AMG Performance Drivers Philip Ellis (SUI), Raffaele Marciello (SUI) and Luca Stolz (GER). This Mercedes-AMG GT3 will also sport a livery that was specially created for the 24-hour race. In a comic-art design style, it is based on the classic colours of team partner BILSTEIN. Stalwart Hubert Haupt (GER) will be sharing driving duties in the sister car with starting number 6 with the two Mercedes-AMG Junior Drivers Jordan Love (AUS) and Arjun Maini (IND).
Schnitzelalm Racing adds two further Mercedes-AMG GT3s to the grid. Marek Böckmann and Marcel Marchewicz (both GER) are facing a giant task: both drivers have been entered on the Mercedes-AMG GT3 with starting number 10 as well as on the sister car with number 11. In the #10 car, they will alternate with Kenneth Heyer and Luca-Sandro Trefz (both GER). Their teammates in the #11 car are Patrick Assenheimer (GER) and Colin Caresani (NED). Böckmann and Marchewicz already stood on the podium after finishing third in the Nürburgring Endurance Series season opener.
For the first time, the new Mercedes-AMG GT2 is taking on the challenges of the 24-hour race at the Nürburgring-Nordschleife. The most powerful homologated race car in history of Mercedes-AMG Customer Racing is the latest extension of the customer sports programme. Following an intense test and development stage and the successful final test during the 24h Nürburgring Qualifiers, two cars of this model will be taking on the endurance test twice around the clock in the Eifel, running in the SPX class.
Like in the qualifying races, Mercedes-AMG Team HRT and Mercedes-AMG Team Schnitzelalm will be running one Mercedes-AMG GT2 each during the 24h race. The line-up in the car of Mercedes-AMG Team HRT with starting number 46 consists of AMG test and development driver Thomas Jäger (GER) together with Frank Bird (GBR), Elia Erhart (GER) and Jörg Viebahn (GER). The #22 Mercedes-AMG GT2 of Mercedes-AMG Team Schnitzelalm will be raced by Mercedes-AMG Performance Driver Mikaël Grenier (CAN), Jay Mo Härtling (GER), David Thilenius (USA) and Moritz Wiskirchen (GER). Additionally, Haupt Racing Team is running a Mercedes-AMG GT4 in the SP10 class. Here, Alexander Kroker, Reinhold Renger as well as Florian and Tobias Wahl (all GER) will alternate behind the wheel.
“The 24-hour race at the Nordschleife is one of the world’s toughest races in GT competition and for Mercedes-AMG, it is one of the most important events on the racing calendar. After our historical victory in 2016, we had a hard time in the years that followed, but most recently, we managed to make it onto the podium again. Nevertheless, we are racing to win here and to bring back the title to Affalterbach after a drought of multiple years. Therefore, the goal is clear. I am equally full of expectation for the maiden 24-hour race participation of our new Mercedes-AMG GT2 that has to prove itself for the first time in an endurance race at the legendary Nordschleife as part of the test programme. As a result, I am looking forward to the weekend and also to the unique atmosphere in the “Green Hell”!”
Christoph Sagemüller, head of Mercedes-AMG Motorsport
“The 24-hour race at the Nürburgring ranks among the biggest races in the world. The legend of the “Green Hell” combined with the many different cars and the unpredictable weather in the Eifel are the things that make this race so fascinating. We are convinced that we are excellently prepared for the battle for the overall win with our high-class line-up. Second and third place last year showed that our strategy with three drivers per car was right. This year, we want to end up one place further up and secure the third overall win for Mercedes-AMG Customer Racing at the Nordschleife.”
Stefan Wendl, head of Mercedes-AMG Customer Racing
„Multi-class racing is what makes the challenge here so particular. We have many, many cars and very different cars on the grid here. That is something you must adapt to. When you don’t use very single chance here, you aren’t fast. With many retirements last year, it was clear to see how thin the edge is. Our preparation in 2023 went well. We are happy across the teams and the package is super. What we still need now is the perfect set-up for the individual driver. I was third here two years ago, second last year, so I am sure I don’t have to say that I want to make the final step forward now. We want to get our hands on that trophy.”
Maximilian Götz, Mercedes-AMG Team GetSpeed #2
“I am very much looking forward to this race as it is one of the highlights on the racing calendar year after year. Since last year, spectators are admitted again, too, and that is crucial for the event. With Jules and Dani, we have a super line up and we all know each other very well, of course. We can also build on the experience from the past years. It certainly is one of our big strengths that we are unchanged at Mercedes-AMG Team GetSpeed going into the race, We have prepared well so I am confident that we can put on a strong race. Of course, the big goal is to finally secure the overall win for Mercedes-AMG again.”
Maro Engel, Mercedes-AMG Team GetSpeed #3
“Following a successful first test run with the Mercedes-AMG GT2 in the 24h Qualifiers, I am now looking forward to the upcoming 24h-hour race. We have learned a lot and we take these valuable insights into the weekend. With some detail improvements and a bit of finetuning, we want to further enhance the performance of the car. We hope for a trouble-free race in which we can rack up many kilometres. I am looking forward to being on the grid with my teammates and Mercedes-AMG Team HRT at the Nordschleife again soon.”
Thomas Jäger, Mercedes-AMG Team HRT #46
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