Gounon, Stolz in HRT’s Two-Car Lineup for 24H Dubai

Mercedes-AMG factory drivers Jules Gounon and Luca Stolz will each lead one of Haupt Racing Team’s driver lineups for its two-car entry into next month’s Hankook 24H Dubai.

Gounon is confirmed to share the Bilstein-liveried No. 4 Mercedes-AMG GT3 Evo with Khaled Al Qubaisi, Sebastian Baud and HRT team principal Hubert Haupt.

Stolz, meanwhile, will contest the Jan. 14-15 race in the sister No. 777 machine alongside Fabian Schiller, Al Faisal Al Zubair, Axcil Jefferies and Martin Konrad.

HRT is reprising its two-car setup for Dubai after finishing fourth and fifth in the event this year.

Al Qubaisi and Haupt teamed up with Raffaele Marciello and Manuel Metzger on that occasion while Stolz, Al Zubair and Konrad were joined by Indy Dontje.

“HRT is returning to the 24H Dubai in 2023 with the feeling of some unfinished business, having narrowly missed the podium in 2022,” said team principal Sean Paul Breslin.

“We have two very strong driver lineups and the team has been preparing over the winter for the big challenge ahead.

“After the short festive break, it is back to business and pushing for the best result in the first race of the 2023 season!”

Gounon is joining HRT for Dubai after helping to steer SunEnergy1 Racing to an outright podium in this year’s race.

The Frenchman is also the reigning TotalEnergies 24 Hours of Spa winner and Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe powered by AWS Endurance Cup champion.

“I’m really happy to join HRT for the first time,” said Gounon.

“Last year, I finished the race in P3. Hopefully, we can go up two more steps this time and bring home a nice trophy and great memories.”

The last Mercedes-AMG lineup to win the 24H Dubai was Black Falcon’s 2020 crew that included Haupt and Al Qubaisi.

“The 24H Dubai is a very special event,” said Haupt.

“After narrowly missing out on the podium last year, we are entering this year’s race with great ambitions. We have two strong cars on the grid and want to race for victory to get a successful start into the new motorsport season.”