Mercedes-AMG GT3 remain in the leading group after opening phase of 24-hour race

Mercedes-AMG GT3 remain in the leading group after opening phase of 24-hour race

• GT3 #4 and #3 remain in a promising position after two and a half hours
• Arjun Maini and Mercedes-AMG Team BILSTEIN retain the lead in the Pro-Am class
• Drivers welcome fans in the sold-out AMG grandstand with a banner activity

The Mercedes-AMG Customer Racing Teams have completed a thrilling opening stage of the 51st ADAC TotalEnergies 24h-Rennen at the Nürburgring. In front of packed grandstands and with a breath-taking atmosphere around the track, a race marked by numerous duels and position changes unfolded at an early stage. Pole sitter Raffaele Marciello (SUI) and Maro Engel (GER) of Mercedes-AMG Team BILSTEIN and Mercedes-AMG Team Getspeed managed to make use of their good starting grid positions to establish themselves in the group of the front-runners. Marciello incurred a 30-second penalty due to a pit stop infringement. However, the Performance Driver kept the leaders within reach by virtue of further fast lap times. With 16 laps of the Nürburgring-Nordschleife completed, both cars remain on course for a podium finish. Maximilian Götz also had a good start with the #2 Mercedes-AMG GT3 of Mercedes-AMG Team GetSpeed and worked his way up from tenth position to sixth place. Adam Christodoulou (GBR), who had taken over from Götz, was able to make up another two places later on. Arjun Maini (IND) benefited from an early pit stop with the #6 Mercedes-AMG GT3 and defended his lead in the Pro-Am class before handing over to teammate Jordan Love (AUS). The #46 Mercedes-AMG GT2 run by Mercedes-AMG Team HRT remained the best-placed non-GT3 car and still ranks among the first quarter of the field.

“I observed the time display on the dashboard, but we were given a 30-second penalty for that. It is still a long race. The Mercedes-AMG GT3 feels fast, so everything is still in it for us nevertheless.”
Raffaele Marciello, Mercedes-AMG Team BILSTEIN #4

“So far, the race was really clean. We lost a few positions at the start, but we were able to keep up in a good way and we kept the leaders within reach. The car handles well, the balance was considerably better during my second stint.”
Maro Engel, Mercedes-AMG Team GetSpeed #3

“I still have goose bumps even now, only from the formation lap. That was incredibly beautiful. The start went very well, I moved up three positions quickly. A few cars stopped earlier, my stint was a bit longer. But the Mercedes-AMG GT3 handles well. I did a double stint and would be ready to jump back into the car straight away.”
Maximilian Götz, Mercedes-AMG Team GetSpeed #2

“It was hectic and wild. The opening hour felt like driving a sprint race. It was almost impossible to avoid contact. The tricky situations didn’t make it any easier for us. The formation lap was spectacular, I would love to see just as many fans again next year.”
Patrick Assenheimer, Schnitzelalm Racing #11

Additional information, entire press article(s), directly from its original source: Daimler AG