Mercedes-AMG GT2 Set for Race Debut This Weekend

The Mercedes-AMG GT2 will make its race debut this weekend on two fronts, with entries running in the Fanatec GT2 European Series and the Nürburgring 24 Qualifiers.

Haupt Racing Team is fielding one car in the all-GT2 round at Monza, where Jens Liebhauser and Thomas Jackermaier will share the wheel.

Over at the Nordschleife, both HRT and Schnitzelalm Racing will run in the SP-X class at the traditional warmup event for next month’s N24, which Mercedes-AMG is planning to enter with its GT2 product.

Frank Bird, Elia Erhart, Joerg Viebahn and Thomas Jaeger form the HRT lineup, while Mikael Grenier and Johannes Stengel are with Schnitzelalm.

The 707-horsepower Mercedes-AMG GT2, which is based on the Mercedes-AMG GT Track Series, was announced in December as the most powerful vehicle in the German manufacturer’s GT racing portfolio.

At the time, Mercedes-AMG’s head of Customer Racing Stefan Wendl told Sportscar365 that supply chain difficulties would dictate when the car makes its debut and gets distributed to customer teams.

“The hard work by all the engineers and technicians at Affalterbach has paid off,” said Wendl.

“They have built a fascinating car that combines speed and excellent driveability at a high level.

“Like with all our cars, it is our ambition to bring the new Mercedes-AMG GT2 to the market fully matured and capable of winning from the onset.

“Therefore, testing in race conditions is very important to us and there is no better stage to do so than the Nürburgring Nordschleife. It is the ultimate challenge for every car. Anyone who succeeds in the Green Hell will succeed anywhere.

“I am convinced that the Mercedes-AMG GT2 will make a lasting impression right away.”

According to Mercedes-AMG, the car has completed 20,000 km (12,427 miles) in testing on European circuits. After a rollout at Mercedes-Benz’s Immendingen proving grounds, the first substantial track tests took place at Valencia in January.

Further visits were made to Monza, Dijon, Paul Ricard, the Nürburgring Nordschleife and Portimao, with “nearly all” of the brand’s factory drivers being involved in the development process.

Sportscar365 understands that the car’s SRO homologation has been completed.

“The car is excellently suited for amateur drivers and promises plenty of driving pleasure for professionals as well,” said Jaeger, who was part of the development team.

“In terms of ergonomics, safety and driveability, the AMG GT2 is setting benchmarks in its segment. After many kilometers of testing, I am now very much looking forward to my first race participation with the Mercedes-AMG GT2.”

While this weekend marks the first races for the Mercedes-AMG GT2, its parent track day model the Track Series ran in last year’s GT2 European Series round at the Red Bull Ring with five-time DTM champion Bernd Schneider and SRO founder and CEO Stephane Ratel sharing the wheel.