Mercedes-AMG Customer Racing aims at third consecutive win in Bathurst 12 Hour

With a total of ten cars, Mercedes-AMG Customer Racing will be starting its campaign in the International GT Challenge (IGTC) at the Repco Bathurst 12 Hour. The prestigious endurance race will be held at Mount Panorama Circuit in Bathurst, Australia, on 17 and 18 February. The performance and sports car brand from Affalterbach will start the 2024 IGTC season as the defending champion.

It was just in December that Mercedes-AMG Performance Driver Jules Gounon (AND) secured the championship title in the drivers’ standings during the Gulf 12 Hours in Abu Dhabi. Moreover, Mercedes-AMG won the manufacturers’ title in the intercontinental GT3 championship. Now, the new season is imminent. Next to the Repco Bathurst 12 Hour, it also includes the ADAC RAVENOL 24h Nürburgring (30 May – 2 June) for the first time, as well as the CrowdStrike 24 Hours of Spa (27 – 30 June) and the Indianapolis 8 Hour presented by AWS (4 – 6 October).

Five Mercedes-AMG GT3s including last year’s winner in the A-PRO class In the past two years, victory in the endurance racing classic down under went to the SunEnergy1 Racing Mercedes-AMG GT3. To continue this winning streak in 2024, the team again relies on last year’s winning trio: Jules Gounon, Kenny Habul (AUS) and Luca Stolz (GER). Reigning IGTC drivers’ champion Jules Gounon became the first and only driver to date to win the Bathurst 12 Hour three times – in 2022 and 2023 with the Mercedes-AMG GT3 – and envisages a historic fourth victory. Also in the A-PRO class are Mercedes-AMG Team Craft-Bamboo Racing and Mercedes-AMG Team GruppeM Racing that ended up in third place last year.

For Mercedes-AMG Team Craft-Bamboo Racing, Maximilian Götz (GER), Daniel Juncadella (ESP) and Jayden Ojeda (AUS) will be alternating behind the wheel of the car with starting number 77. For Mercedes-AMG Team GruppeM Racing, last year’s pole sitter Maro Engel (GER) and the new Mercedes-AMG Expert Drivers Felipe Fraga (BRA) and David Reynolds (AUS) will race the car with starting number 130. Scott Taylor Motorsport and National Storage Racing will run two further Mercedes-AMG GT3s in the A-PRO class.

Further cars spread across the categories A-PRO AM, A-SILVER and C-GT4 At Bathurst, three teams will be competing for class honours in the A-PRO AM category with one Mercedes-AMG GT3 each: Heart of Racing by SPS, MMotorsport and Triple Eight JMR. Supabarn Supermarkets/Tigani Motorsport is running a further Mercedes-AMG GT3 in the A-SILVER class. Team Nineteen with local hero Mark Griffith (AUS) has entered a Mercedes-AMG GT4 in the C-GT4 class.

“Because of our wins in the past two cars, we are in the favourites’ role at Bathurst, so to say. To live up to the high expectations, we are again relying on our established Performance Teams and a line-up of high-quality drivers and local heroes. In this demanding race, experience is a decisive factor. Moreover, it makes us proud that we have the largest contingent of all brands with ten cars in this year’s field of the Bathurst 12 Hour. We are looking forward to the competition and we are optimally prepared for the challenge.”

Stefan Wendl, Head of Mercedes-AMG Customer Racing

“I had a nice winter as the reigning IGTC champion. The title means a lot to me as it is something I worked to achieve for many years. You only reach it with consistent achievements in the world’s biggest and toughest races. This year, I would like to build on this success and drive four good races. But that will certainly be more difficult as the pressure is higher when you aren’t racing as an outsider. I hope for a good week at Bathurst. It is my undisputed favourite track and I can hardly wait to get back there.”

Jules Gounon, SunEnergy1 Racing #75

“I am totally happy to return to Mount Panorama Circuit. For me, the race at Bathurst is always a highlight on the calendar. The track suits me very much and the scenery is simply mega. Together with Jules and Kenny, I was able to win the race the past two years. Of course, we will do everything to achieve the third consecutive win.”

Luca Stolz, SunEnergy1 Racing #75

“I am very much looking forward to Bathurst, it is always something special! The atmosphere and the track can be compared to the Nordschleife. The undulation is making the track to the most demanding circuit of the year for me. I already know Mercedes-AMG Team Craft-Bamboo Racing from my participations in GT World Challenge Asia last year. The guys are doing a fantastic job and so are my teammates Dani and Jayden. Standing on the top step of the podium is still missing for me.”

Maximilian Götz, Mercedes-AMG Team Craft-Bamboo Racing #77

“I know Bathurst very well, it is one of my favourite tracks. Last year, I raced a Mercedes-AMG GT3 there for the first time and I absolutely want to build on the performance from back then. Racing for Triple Eight JMR is a huge opportunity for me and sharing the car with Jamie Whincup is a dream. I have been following his career in Supercars since I was a kid. That is something really special and I am looking forward to it. Of course, racing at home in Australia in front of my family and friends is even more special for me.”

Jordan Love, Triple Eight JMR #88

“Bathurst is one of the undisputed highlights on the calendar and one of my favourite races. The circuit is incredible and I also have fond memories because of the track record last year. I am already looking forward to working with Felipe and David. They are both very experienced and successful drivers I really welcome. We have a very strong team again. Unfortunately, I have never been able to win at Bathurst yet, so that is the big goal. We will do everything to achieve that, and we are well prepared, even though competition is strong again.”

Maro Engel, Mercedes-AMG Team GruppeM Racing #130