Winward Racing confirms expanded two-car GT Endurance Cup programme with Mercedes-AMG

The proven line-up of Russell Ward, Philip Ellis and Indy Dontje will share the #57 machine in the five-round championship. All three are experienced Fanatec GT campaigners, with Ward and Ellis regularly sharing cars. 

What's more, the same trio drove a Mercedes-AMG run by HTP Motorsport – the team from which Winward Racing was born – at the 2020 CrowdStrike 24 Hours of Spa. They will compete in the Gold Cup class, which has been adjusted for 2023 to cater solely for Gold-rated drivers.

The sister #157 Mercedes-AMG will be entrusted to the young crew of David Schumacher, Marius Zug and Miklas Born. A member of the famous racing family, Schumacher will make his series debut when the campaign kicks off at Monza, but has GT3 experience from a season in the DTM. 

Zug switches from Audi squad Attempto Racing where he enjoyed a successful 2022 campaign, securing a runner-up finish in the Silver class at the CrowdStrike 24 Hours of Spa. Born returns to Fanatec GT competition having run the 2021 campaign in a Mercedes-AMG run by SPS Automotive Performance. 

"The sporting standard in Fanatec GT is enormously high," said team boss Christian Hohenadel ."The term endurance racing is somewhat misleading in this context. These are long sprint races in which the drivers go on the attack from start to finish. 

"For our juniors in particular, the Fanatec GT Endurance Cup offers an ideal platform to gain experience at a high international level - including the absolute highlight at the CrowdStrike 24 Hours of Spa."

Winward Racing will join its rivals on-track at the official Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe Powered by AWS test days at Circuit Paul Ricard on 7-8 March. The Endurance Cup campaign launches at Monza on 21-23 April, followed by trips to Circuit Paul Ricard (2–4 June), the CrowdStrike 24 Hours of Spa (29 June–2 July), the Nürburgring (28–30 July) and Circuit de Barcelona Catalunya (29 September–1 October).