2 Seas Motorsport Switches to Mercedes-AMG

Former McLaren entrant 2 Seas Motorsport has switched to Mercedes-AMG machinery for its planned European racing campaign this year.

The Bahrain-flagged team, which is based in the United Kingdom, previously announced plans to run two McLaren 720S GT3s in the revamped DTM series.

However, it placed both of its McLarens up for sale shortly after winning last month’s Gulf 12 Hours at Bahrain International Circuit.

The team plans to race both of its new Mercedes-AMG GT3 Evos “across Europe” in 2021 although a specific championship has yet to be confirmed.

“We are looking forward to a big year of racing together with Mercedes-AMG, and we are well underway with preparations for the new season,” said team co-owner Nick Cristofaro.

“We are carefully reviewing the different options available to us to go racing with the current travel restrictions across Europe as they are.

“This includes the possibility of a return to the British GT grid for a second season, or possibly taking on the Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe powered by AWS sprint or endurance calendars – both are extremely appealing to us a team and to drivers.”

2 Seas won the Gulf 12 Hours at its first attempt in January with a McLaren driven by Ben Barnicoat, Martin Kodric and team co-owner Isa Al Khalifa.

The team made its sports car racing debut last year fielding two McLarens full-time in the British GT Championship, and has also been active in sim racing competition.

“I am extremely pleased to confirm the new relationship for 2 Seas Motorsport with Mercedes-AMG as the first exciting stage of our 2021 plans,” said Al Khalifa.

“Mercedes-AMG is at the top of its game in motorsport, and the AMG GT3 has been hugely successful across all competitions since its introduction.

“At 2 Seas Motorsport, we are always looking to take on the next challenge and to learn from our experiences, and as a team we have grown and developed hugely over the past 12 months, and I am confident we will continue to build and get stronger throughout this coming season.”

Mercedes-AMG’s head of Customer Racing Stefan Wendl added: “We are very happy to welcome 2 Seas Motorsport joining the Mercedes-AMG family.

“The team stands for a new approach in motorsport: in 2020, they became first involved in virtual racing as a newly founded team and then successfully made the transition to real-world GT racing.

“Finishing in third place after the debut season in the strong British GT Championship reflects the potential that they have, and they have already built on that this year with an impressive performance to take victory at the Gulf 12 Hours.

“We wish Isa Al Khalifa, Nick Cristofaro and the team the necessary bit of racing luck for their planned program with the Mercedes-AMG GT3 and will, of course, support them in the best Mercedes-AMG Customer Racing quality.”