First in racing conditions: Mercedes-AMG GT2 debuting at Nurburgring and Monza

• Mercedes-AMG tests a new car at the Nurburgring-Nordschleife

• Mercedes-AMG Teams HRT and Schnitzelalm will run one Mercedes-AMG GT2 each

• More Mercedes-AMG GT2s taking part in the GT2 European Series season opener at Monza

The most powerful homologated racing car in the history of the Mercedes-AMG customer sports program is about to make its racing debut: After an intense stage of testing and development, the Mercedes-AMG GT2 will have its first in racing conditions during ADAC 24h Nurburgring qualifying. Two test versions of the car with a maximum output of 707 hp (520 kW) will undergo extended development under competitive conditions at the legendary Nurburgring-Nordschleife.

The April 22-23 double-header consists of two qualifying races with separate classifications in which customer sports teams can earn a slot to compete in the top qualifying session preceding the ADAC TotalEnergies 24h of Nurburgring. Mercedes-AMG Team HRT and Mercedes-AMG Team Schnitzelalm are each running a Mercedes-AMG GT2 in the special SPX class. Both teams are using the race entries as preparation for the ADAC TotalEnergies 24h race at the Nurburgring. For this historic occasion, Mercedes-AMG Team HRT has selected drivers Frank Bird (GBR), Elia Erhart, Thomas Joger and Joerg Viebahn (all GER). Mikael Grenier (CAN) and Johannes Stengel (GER) will alternate behind the wheel of the Mercedes-AMG Team Schnitzelalm entry.

Mercedes-AMG concludes the overall development phase of the Mercedes-AMG GT2

The clear objective of this participation is the ongoing development of the Mercedes-AMG GT2 in the very demanding racing conditions that can be expected during the ADAC 24h Nurburgring qualifying pair. To this end, the latest member of the Mercedes-AMG Customer Racing family has already undergone a comprehensive program. In total, the Mercedes-AMG GT2 has completed tests on various European circuits. The deployment took place at the Mercedes-Benz testing grounds in Immendingen, Germany. There, among other things, the electrical systems were evaluated and various prototype components were tested. The initial test takes place on a permanent circuit tracked in Valencia in January 2023. During these performance tests, the focus was on new components in the areas of aerodynamics, brakes, engines and wheels . Following other stations in Monza, Dijon and Le Castellet, the Mercedes-AMG GT2 ran at the Nordschleife for the first time in March and managed to convince straight away.

Almost all drivers in the Mercedes-AMG driver lineup participated in the full testing phase and, with their feedback, contributed to the ongoing development of the car. Thomas Joger, who will also drive the Mercedes-AMG GT2 during the 24h Qualifying, supported the engineers and mechanics during all testing sessions as a development driver with many years of experience. With a final four-day test in Portimao just before Easter, Mercedes-AMG Customer Racing concluded the successful development phase. On the track in southern Portugal, the customer sports teams who will take care of the upcoming participation in the Nurburgring-Nordschleife were also present for the first time.

The 24-hour qualifying in the ADAC 24h is generally considered a significant final test in the preparation from the point of view of the endurance racing season, the long-running 24-hour race at the Nurburgring-Nordschleife on 20 thet 21 may. The current qualifying format includes a race on Saturday evening (7:30 p.m. CEST) lasting two hours. An additional race will take place on Sunday (1 p.m.) with a duration of four hours. After successful qualifying, the plan is for the Mercedes-AMG GT2 to compete in the 51st running of the 24-hour race at the Nurburgring.

Mercedes-AMG GT2 races into the European GT2 series at the Autodromo Nazionale di Monza

Located at the legendary Nurburgring-Nordschleife, the Mercedes-AMG GT2 will take part in another participation in race conditions this weekend. During the season-opening Fanatec GT2 European Series atop Monza, Haupt Racing Team runs a Mercedes-AMG GT2 with drivers Thomas Jackermeier and Jens Liebhauser (both). The race weekend at the Italian circuit with its long heritage is part of the Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe powered by the AWS support package and is the first of six events on the 2023 season calendar. Plans call for further participations racing in the GT2 series for the European Games.

“With the Mercedes-AMG GT2, the most powerful homologated racing car in our customer racing program so far makes its debut. The hard work of all the engineers and technicians in Affalterbach has paid off. They have built a fascinating car that combines speed and excellent driving ability at a high level. As with all our cars, our ambition is to bring the new Mercedes-AMG GT2 to market fully mature and capable of winning from the start. Therefore, testing in racing conditions is very important to us and there is no better stage to do it than the Nurburgring-Norschleife. This is the ultimate challenge for every car. Anyone who succeeds in the Green Hell will succeed anywhere. I’m confident the Mercedes-AMG GT2 will make a lasting impression right away. »
Stefan Wendl, head of Mercedes-AMG Customer Racing

“The Mercedes-AMG GT2 is a fascinating car and an optimal addition to our customer sports program. In the development we paid a lot of attention to the driving and control systems; Various adjustment options allow you to quickly adapt to all track conditions and characteristics. The car is ideally suited to amateur drivers and promises a lot of driving pleasure for professionals. In terms of ergonomics, safety and drivability, the AMG GT2 sets benchmarks in its segment. After many test kilometers, I am now looking forward to my first participation in the Mercedes-AMG GT2.”
Thomas Joger, Mercedes-AMG Customer Racing development and test driver