Buhk Announces Retirement from Racing

Mercedes-AMG factory driver Maximilian Buhk has announced his retirement from racing at the age of 29.

In a statement, Buhk explained that he has opted not to extend his expiring contract with the German manufacturer, instead deciding to call time on his career as a racing driver, citing ‘shifting priorities’.

“You don’t make a decision like that overnight, and it’s never easy, because it heralds the start of a new chapter,” said Buhk.

“Motorsport has defined my life for almost two decades. Racing has given me an incredible amount, brought me many successes, but also shaped me as a person.

“For some time now, I’ve felt a desire for change. I got married in the summer and was able to witness the birth of my daughter Clara Margeaux.

“I realize that my priorities are shifting and that the desire for racing and competition are no longer unreservedly at the top of my list.

“It’s time to start something new.”

The German began his GT3 career with a podium finish in the Hankook 24 Hours of Dubai in 2012, before going on to become the youngest ever winner of the 24 Hours of Spa with Maximilian Goetz and Bernd Schneider a year later.

He would go on to secure multiple Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe powered by AWS titles, winning the Endurance Cup with Schneider and Goetz in 2013, the Sprint Cup driving for Bentley in 2015 and the overall championship alongside Dominik Baumann in 2016 with the new Mercedes-AMG GT3.

“I experienced the most successful period of my career together with Mercedes-AMG, and I am indebted to them for that,” Buhk added.

“The fact that the last three years of our collaboration were no longer in complete harmony doesn’t change the bond I feel towards the brand and most of the people working there.”

Buhk spent the last two seasons of his career primarily racing in DTM with Muecke Motorsport, securing a best-placed finish of third in the Norisring finale last year.

His last appearance in a major endurance race to date came at Motul Petit Le Mans last weekend, where he finished sixth in the GTD Pro class with WeatherTech Racing.