Abril Parts Ways with Mercedes-AMG

Vincent Abril has announced that he is leaving Mercedes-AMG at the end of this year.

The former Bentley factory driver wrote in a social media post that he has decided to “take [a] different professional path” in motorsport and beyond but did not detail what he will be doing next.

Abril became an official Mercedes-AMG factory driver this year, although he had piloted the German marque’s GT3 cars since 2019 after leaving Bentley’s works lineup.

The Monegasque racer represented Haupt Racing Team in the 2021 DTM season, finishing 14th in the standings.

His best weekend performance-wise came at the Monza season-opener, where he led the first qualifying session of the championship’s new FIA GT3 era.

Abril ended the campaign without a podium but claimed a fourth-place finish in one of the races at Zolder.

He also drove for HRT in the Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe powered by AWS Endurance Cup, but skipped two of the five races due to date clashes with DTM events.

In 2020 Abril contributed to HRT’s Endurance Cup debut, while the year before saw him tackle the same championship with AKKA-ASP.

Prior to signing on as a Mercedes-AMG factory driver this year, Abril attained drives in cars from other brands including an AF Corse Ferrari ride in International GT Open and a 24 Hours of Le Mans GTE-Am appearance with Porsche squad Proton Competition.

“Extremely grateful for the three years of success with Mercedes-AMG,” Abril said.

“Mega car, incredibly fast and reliable teammates, and loads of fun along the way! I have decided to take [a] different professional path on and off the race tracks!

“Still hungry as ever for the future races coming up with some sick racing programs that are really firing me up.”