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- Demo run: Lewis Hamilton conquers Fifth Avenue in New York
- Mercedes-AMG Customer Racing presents line-up for the ADAC RAVENOL 24h Nürburgring
- Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe Powered by AWS Sprint Cup - Victory for Auer and Engel
Formula 1
New Race Car Emoji Lights Up New York City
After Austin, Miami and Las Vegas, it's the turn of New York City. Formula 1 is taking America by storm! But it's not just F1 that has seen rapid growth in the United States in recent years. The team's Official Messaging Partner WhatsApp has also announced double-digit growth in daily users and messages sent via the platform in the USA. To mark the occasion, WhatsApp released a new race car emoji in the legendary team colors of black, silver and PETRONAS green. As part of the celebrations, WhatsApp and the team first bathed the top of the Empire State Building in bright WhatsApp green and then illuminated the facade of the famous skyscraper with a dynamic light show featuring the new race car emoji. Lewis Hamilton and Toto Wolff flipped the switch to start the show at a viewing party attended by famous names such as Rauw Alejandro, Cynthia Erivo, Spike Lee, Julius Randle and many more besides.
Find out more about the event held at the Empire State Building: https://mb4.me/0Yx5ShDm
Formula 1 Conquers the Big Apple
Several days of celebrations in New York City were brought to an end with a veritable world premiere - the first demo run of an F1 car on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan. At the wheel of the W12 from the 2021 F1 season was none other than seven-time F1 World Champion Lewis Hamilton. He thrilled the crowds of spectators lining the street with donuts, a roaring engine and screeching tyres. But that wasn't all: a life-size replica of the newly unveiled emoji racing car also whizzed through the streets of Manhattan. "That was epic," said Lewis after the event. "It's always been a dream of mine to drive an F1 car down Fifth Avenue in New York City. Seeing the crowds and everyone's excitement was awesome." Toto Wolff agreed: "I’ve done many events in the past 12 years, but this tops it all." By New York standards, that's really saying something!
For more information about the Demo Run on Fifth Avenue: https://mb4.me/ET0EFhpZ
Mercedes-AMG Safety Car with sustainable fuel for the first time
The pinnacle of motorsport had a premiere in store at the weekend. At the FORMULA 1 CRYPTO.COM MIAMI GRAND PRIX 2024, Mercedes-AMG presented a novelty with the Official F1 Safety Car and Medical Car. For the first time, the vehicles were powered by 40 per cent sustainable fuel. This new standard for the Safety Car and Medical Car will also be used at all other Formula 1 race weekends in the 2024 season. The technological innovation is part of Formula 1's Net Zero by 2030 campaign. “This is a big step,” says official Formula 1 Safety Car driver and AMG brand ambassador Bernd Mayländer. “If we think back to where we were 25 years ago and how far we have come with engine development and fuels, it's a difference in every respect. Especially with these high-performance cars, it is a huge step forward. The engineers are working at the highest level and don't want to sacrifice any engine performance. They have succeeded in doing this and I think this is the right way forward, also for Formula 1.”
Customer Racing
Mercedes-AMG with first-class line-up in ADAC RAVENOL 24h Nürburgring
The season highlight on the Nürburgring Nordschleife is getting closer. The ADAC RAVENOL 24h Nürburgring, the 52nd running of the endurance racing classic, will take place from 30 May to 2 June. Mercedes-AMG Customer Racing will take on the ultimate challenge on the 25.378 kilometres long time-honoured circuit in the Eifel with a line-up of six Mercedes-AMG GT3s and a single Mercedes-AMG GT4. In the traditionally strong SP9 PRO category, Mercedes-AMG Team BILSTEIN and Mercedes-AMG Team GetSpeed will each have two cars to aim for the third overall victory by Mercedes-AMG Motorsport. Two more Mercedes-AMG GT3s from Haupt Racing Team and Schnitzelalm Racing are competing in the SP9 PRO-AM classification. Moreover, Schnitzelalm Racing is represented with a Mercedes-AMG GT4 in the SP10 class as well.
The total of seven Mercedes-AMG Customer Racing cars come with a first-class line-up of 25 drivers, including nine Performance Drivers, four Junior Drivers and two Expert Drivers. Maro Engel (GER) and Adam Christodoulou (GBR) are two drivers to have already stood on the top step of the podium in the world's biggest 24-hour race. Both were part of the winning Mercedes-AMG GT3 line-up back in 2016. For five drivers, on the other hand, this will be their maiden appearance at the ADAC RAVENOL 24h Nürburgring. Ralf Aron (EST), Lucas Auer (AUT), Jusuf Owega (GER), Salman Owega (GER) and David Schumacher (GER) will be making their debut at this year's endurance racing highlight in the Eifel.
Mercedes-AMG Customer Racing line-up 2024 ADAC RAVENOL 24h Nürburgring*
| Nr. | Team/Car | Drivers | Class |
| 3 | Mercedes-AMG Team BILSTEIN Mercedes-AMG GT3 | Michele Beretta (ITA), Frank Bird (GBR), Arjun Maini (IND), Jusuf Owega (GER) | SP9 PRO |
| 4 | Mercedes-AMG Team BILSTEIN Mercedes-AMG GT3 | Maximilian Götz (GER), Daniel Juncadella (ESP), Arjun Maini (IND), Luca Stolz (GER) | SP9 PRO |
| 8 | Mercedes-AMG Team GetSpeed Mercedes-AMG GT3 | Lucas Auer (AUT), Adam Christodoulou (GBR), Philip Ellis (SUI), Mikaël Grenier (CAN) | SP9 PRO |
| 130 | Mercedes-AMG Team GetSpeed Mercedes-AMG GT3 | Maro Engel (GER), Jules Gounon (AND), Fabian Schiller (GER) | SP9 PRO |
| 6 | Team ADVAN x HRT Mercedes-AMG GT3 | Ralf Aron (EST), Dennis Fetzer (GER), Hubert Haupt (GER), Salman Owega (GER) | SP9 PRO-AM |
| 11 | Schnitzelalm Racing Mercedes-AMG GT3 | Jay Mo Härtling (GER), Kenneth Heyer (GER), Marcel Marchewicz (GER) | SP9 PRO-AM |
| 111 | Schnitzelalm Racing Mercedes-AMG GT4 | Tim Neuser (GER), David Schumacher (GER), David Thilenius (USA), Moritz Wiskirchen (GER) | SP10 |
“The 24-hour race at the Nürburgring is one of the most demanding races on our calendar. It's not just about being fast, but also about managing the risks that come with the traffic in the right way. That is a challenge, especially mentally. I'm looking forward to driving in two cars. It will not be easy to succeed there, but I will do my best to ensure that we finish as far up front as possible with both cars.”
Arjun Maini, Mercedes-AMG Team BILSTEIN #3 & #4
“The Nürburgring is my home circuit, which means that friends and family are always with me. But I am actually quite relaxed until the green flag drops on Saturday. After that, I have to be highly focussed, especially concerning traffic, but also in the morning when my body is still tired. Especially if it is dark and foggy at the same time and possibly raining a bit, then it will be exciting. If we are still running on Sunday morning, we have a good chance of a podium result.”
Luca Stolz, Mercedes-AMG Team BILSTEIN #4
“I have huge respect for the Nordschleife and above all I have a lot to learn. But my self-confidence also grows with every lap. We have prepared very well. I feel comfortable with the car and my team-mates, so the anticipation is huge. It's the first time for me in the 24-hour race at the Nürburgring, but I feel ready. We have analysed all the relevant data with the team and filtered out the supposedly best spots for overtaking.”
Lucas Auer, Mercedes-AMG Team GetSpeed #8
“Already now, I can't wait for my season highlight of the season. It is the one race that I really want to win once more after 2016. My team-mates rank among the world’s fastest GT drivers. Therefore, in combination with Mercedes-AMG and GetSpeed, we are in an ideal position. We just have to keep cool in order to succeed on the Nordschleife. It's my absolute favourite track because every race there is unique. Now there are a few final preparations to be made so that we can hopefully compete for victory.”
Adam Christodoulou, Mercedes-AMG Team GetSpeed #8
“Anticipation is very high indeed. It's one of the undisputed highlights of the racing calendar every year. And unfortunately, we haven't been able to win the race since 2016. The victory back then was one of the highlights of my career and is still a special moment for me today. In this respect, the motivation to repeat this success is also very, very high. You can see how everyone is pulling together. We are trying to optimise our package and hope that we can be in contention for the overall victory. We also want to do justice to the special anniversary livery of our Mercedes-AMG GT3.”
Maro Engel, Mercedes-AMG Team GetSpeed #130
“I'm looking forward to being part of the HRT x ADVAN line-up for this year's 24-hour race. I have been dreaming of returning to the Nordschleife and taking on this challenge since last year. The weather and the traffic will definitely play a key role. To finish first, you first have to finish. Many professionals have failed to do that in the past. In any case, our successful tests give me confidence. We are ready to attack in the Green Hell.”
Ralf Aron, Team ADVAN x HRT #6
“After things unfortunately didn't go so well for our team last year, I'm really looking forward to making amends with a strong line-up. Our performance in the preparation makes us happy. We have already finished on the podium several times and we want to build on that with the Mercedes-AMG GT3 in the 24-hour race. The race itself depends on a lot of factors, many of which are beyond our control. That's why every race on the Nordschleife offers a new challenge.”
Marcel Marchewicz, Schnitzelalm Racing #11
“The Nordschleife is one of the best circuits I've ever driven on - if not the best! Now, for the first time, I get to experience it with the Mercedes-AMG GT4. The team with the best chances is the one that can deal with the traffic in the cleverest way and, above all, can last the entire 24-hour distance. I have heard that the fans here are simply unique. All the parties and lights at night create a special atmosphere. I'm already looking forward to the smell of sausages when I am at Brünnchen.”
David Schumacher, Schnitzelalm Racing #111
24H SERIES: Victorious farewell for Charles Putman
In the final race of his motorsport career, Charles Putman cheered once again from the top step of the podium. The 66-year-old American contested the 12-hour race at Spa-Francorchamps as part of the 24H SERIES in April to conclude his career. Together with his team-mates, he took the chequered flag in first place after 224 laps with the CP Racing Mercedes-AMG GT3. It was the fourth overall victory for Putman, who drove a Mercedes-AMG customer sports car for the first time in 2018. From 61 race participations with the Mercedes-AMG GT3, he achieved 16 overall podiums as well as 16 class wins and 39 podium results. He celebrated his greatest successes in the 24H SERIES, in which he won the drivers’ and teams’ titles at his first attempt in 2018. He repeated this success in 2022.
„My first time behind the wheel of the Mercedes-AMG GT3 was a test drive in 2017. I was impressed by the safety designs as much as by the driveability of the car, so we took delivery of our first Mercedes-AMG GT3 at the Dubai Autodrome in 2018. The results of that race could have been better but we intended for 2018 to be a ‘development year‘ in any case. However, good results started coming quickly race by race and even though it was a battle to the very last race of the season, we finished 2018 winning the 24H Series Championship Overall. During the next six and one-half years we won repeated Pro-Am championships and placed top-three Overall in numerous Endurance Championships. I have won several drivers‘ titles in the Mercedes-AMG GT3 but that first one in 2018 will stay with me. With the help of my fantastic team and co-drivers, non-podium finishes have been miraculously rare. The Mercedes-AMG support engineers and track support personnel have become valued friends as well as great assets on the way to these many successes. But all good things must end and time has come for me to retire. The 12 Hours of Spa was my last race and I could not ask for a more fairytale ending, so it makes a perfect bookend to my career with the Mercedes-AMG GT3. I think the entire team was intent on making my last race a win just by sheer determination. Of course, it was a bitter sweet victory. I will certainly miss the thrill of driving the Mercedes-AMG GT3 through amazing turns such as Flugplatz or Raidillon and spending long days at famous tracks with my racing family. To have experienced motor racing on this level in these kinds of machines is a blessing. Like with any love, to leave it behind is far better than to have never experienced it. I’ll carry the friendships and memories with me forever.“
Charles Putman, CP Racing
A strong start in the Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe Powered by AWS Sprint Cup
For Mercedes-AMG Customer Racing, the season opener in the prestigious sprint series of the SRO Motorsports Group at the Brands Hatch Circuit was on the schedule last weekend. Five Mercedes-AMG GT3s were represented in the field of 25 GT3 cars at the first of five events. The two races on Sunday in Great Britain were successful for our customer sports teams. Lucas Auer (AUT) and Maro Engel (GER) celebrated overall victory in race two for WINWARD Racing Team MANN-FILTER from pole position. The duo had finished third in the first race. Maximilian Götz (GER) and Jules Gounon (AND) also finished on the podium for Boutsen VDS in the second race. In the Belgian team’s second car, César Gazeau and Aurélien Panis (both FRA) also were victorious in the Silver Cup in the first race. In race two, they finished second in class.
Crowdstrike by Riley with a pair of wins in GT America Powered by AWS
In the US, the customer racing teams raced at Sebring International Raceway at the weekend. In GT America, it already was the third of eight events on the calendar. George Kurtz (USA) won both races with Crowdstrike by Riley at the long-standing racetrack. In the first race, Jason Daskalos (USA) and CRP Racing made it a 1-2 for the Mercedes-AMG GT3. Kurtz and his team-mate Colin Braun (USA) were also successful in the Fanatec GT World Challenge America Powered by AWS. The series held its second of seven race weekends in the US state of Florida. On Sunday, Braun and Kurtz drove to second place in the PRO-AM category for Crowdstrike by Riley. In the first race, Jeff Burton (USA) and Philip Ellis (SUI) made it onto the podium with third place in class for Regulator Racing.
Mercedes-AMG starts the 2024 International GT Open with a clean sweep of the top three
A contingent of twelve Mercedes-AMG GT3s took on the first of eight rounds of this year's International GT Open in Portugal from 26 to 28 April. A total of 33 participants participated in the race weekend at the Autódromo Internacional do Algarve, which ended with a clean sweep of the top three for our customer sports teams. In Sunday’s race, AlManar Racing by GetSpeed won with Al Faisal Al Zubair (OMA) and Mikaël Grenier (CAN) ahead of SPS automotive performance with Dominik Baumann (AUT) and Mikaeel Pitamber (RSA). Third place went to Diego Menchaca (MEX) and Marcos Siebert (ARG) from Team Motopark. In race one, Anthony Bartone (USA) and Fabian Schiller (GER) with GetSpeed had also secured victory for the Mercedes-AMG GT3.
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