Seppanen Joins Climax’s Silver-Am Mercedes-AMG Effort

Mercedes-AMG squad Climax Racing has announced that Elias Seppanen will be part of its two-car effort for this year’s GT World Challenge Asia powered by AWS season.

Finnish driver Seppanen joins the team after making two appearances in a Harmony Racing Ferrari 296 GT3 last year, and will partner Li Lichao for an assault on the Silver-Am class at the wheel of one of Climax’s two Mercedes-AMG GT3 Evos.

The Silver-rated driver is no stranger to Climax, having raced for the team in the Asian Le Mans Series, China GT and most recently in last year’s Michelin 12H Sepang.

“I am thrilled to be competing with Climax Racing in the GT World Challenge Asia,” said Seppanen. “This year we will aim higher and perform even better.

“Li is undoubtedly one of the fastest gentlemen drivers in Asia, and together we have what it takes to fight for victories.”

Li, meanwhile, returns to full-time GTWC Asia competition having last raced full-time in 2024 with Climax in the Am category.

The Chinese driver, who was also part of Climax’s 12H Sepang effort last year, described Seppanen as “a driver who has proven his strong pace on the international stage.”

Climax will also have an Am class entry (livery pictured below) for ‘Mike’ Zhou Bihaung and Setiawan Santoso, who moves across to the team from EBM.

Zhou contested the first four rounds of the Pro-Am class last year with Ralf Aron, scoring podium finishes at Mandalika and Buriram.

The 2026 GTWC Asia season begins at Sepang on April 3-5.