Craft-Bamboo Switches to Mercedes-AMG

Photo: Craft-Bamboo Racing

Craft-Bamboo Racing will make the switch to Mercedes-AMG machinery next year, with GT3 and GT4 entries in the Blancpain GT World Challenge Asia.

The Hong Kong-based squad will run at least two Mercedes-AMG GT3s in the renamed Asian SRO GT3 championship, as well as one Mercedes-AMG GT4 in GT4 Asia.

It also plans GT3 entries at selected Intercontinental GT Challenge rounds and the FIA GT World Cup at Macau, as well as possible plans in Chinese GT competition.

The team moves to Mercedes-AMG after running Porsches in GT3 competition this year, although it switched its GT4 entry from a Porsche Cayman GT4 Clubsport MR to a Mercedes midway through the season.

The team is yet to reveal any drivers for the upcoming season.

“It is with great pleasure we announce this new partnership with Mercedes-AMG to write a new chapter in Craft-Bamboo Racing’s motorsport story,” said team chairman Frank Yu.

“Our primary focus in the coming year is to get our team to the top step, and this long term co-operation with Mercedes-AMG means we will receive unparalleled support, which will help us achieve our goal.

“We are very motivated for the coming years and are already working hard to ensure we have all the necessary elements to win races in the coming seasons.

“I am very excited for what lies ahead for Craft-Bamboo Racing.”

Stefan Wendl, Head of Mercedes-AMG Customer Racing added: “In 2018 Mercedes-AMG Customer Racing celebrated the most successful year ever. Numerous series titles and race wins in GT3 and GT4 categories around the globe underline the performance of our race cars and of our customer teams as well.

“With Craft-Bamboo Racing we welcome another highly experienced team to our Mercedes-AMG Customer Racing family and we are looking forward to a successful partnership.”

It’s understood GruppeM Racing, which has been the German manufacturer’s Performance-backed team in Blancpain GT Asia, will not return to the championship next year, with the outfit reportedly set for a full-season IGTC program instead.

Jake Kilshaw

Jake Kilshaw is a UK-based journalist. He is a graduate of Politics and International Relations.