Ellis Drove Eight Hours in Pro-Am Winning SunEnergy1 Mercedes

Photo: Mercedes-AMG

Philip Ellis said he drove eight hours of Sunday’s Gulf 12 Hours, in a mammoth series of stints that helped take SunEnergy1 by SPS to the GT3 Pro-Am class win.

The Mercedes-AMG factory driver teamed with Intercontinental GT Challenge presented by Pirelli Pro-Am Challenge champions Kenny Habul and Martin Konrad for top class honors and a fifth place overall result in the Yas Marina enduro.

Ellis explained that he “had to” complete extended stints because of the unique drive-time requirements of the race for Pro-Am class entries, which saw several four-driver lineups compared to SunEnergy1’s three-man roster.

“I was the only pro in the car and the Ams are limited to four hours-something, so I had to do the rest on my own whereas other cars would have a Silver driver to fill in a little bit as well,” the Swiss driver told Sportscar365.

“It was a lot of driving and not a lot of time in between.

“In a 24-hour race you’d get two or three hours in between [stints] if you’re lucky. This was get out, grab a drink maybe a little something to eat, and get back in.

“I’m happy it’s over! But I’m super happy for the team as well. They did a great job.

“The car was super fast, especially towards the end of the stints. I think that’s where we picked up the most spots.

“Just all around we didn’t make any mistakes, no unnecessary penalties and I think that’s how we got the win.”

While having opted for a traditional strategy unlike others that pitted on the opening laps of the race to fulfill the first of ten ‘Imposed Pit Stops’ per event regulations, Ellis believes the turning point came during the final Full Course Yellow turned safety car of the race when he managed to get a one-lap buffer on the second-placed No. 88 Garage 59 McLaren 720S GT3.

“I think the very last Full Course Yellow we had was in our favor because we almost jumped two McLarens,” he said. “Then I could just manage the gap and basically roll back home the last hour. It was the easiest stint of the day!”

The victory marked Habul and Konrad’s second class win in the four-round globe-trotting GT3 series this season after their overall triumph in the Liqui-Moly Bathurst 12 Hour with Jules Gounon and Luca Stolz.

“We nearly had an outright podium,” Habul said. “We were up there all day. It says a lot for the speed of our car.

“All around the car was pretty good. I’m very happy, to be honest. It caps off a great year and it’s just a real strong combination in Pro-Am, me and Marty, we really are the ones to beat.

“Thanks to SPS, Mercedes-AMG. We get a lot of support and that’s why I stay with the brand. I get a lot of help; they’re always there for us, whatever we need.  I’m thankful.”

John Dagys

John Dagys is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Sportscar365. Dagys spent eight years as a motorsports correspondent for FOXSports.com and SPEED Channel and has contributed to numerous other motorsports publications worldwide. Contact John