Batzios to Make Return in Volante Mercedes-AMG

Chris Batzios will make his return to Fanatec GT World Challenge Australia powered by AWS action in next week’s Queensland Raceway round at the wheel of a Mercedes-AMG GT3 Evo run by Volante Rosso.

Batzios will team up with Ross Poulakis at the wheel of the No. 34 Am class entry, to be run under the Harrolds Motorsport banner.

Health issues forced Batzios to skip the opening two rounds of the season at Phillip Island and The Bend, prompting Volante Rosso to withdraw from those races.

The Mercedes-AMG effort comes in addition to Volante’s recently-announced tie-up with Aston Martin to run a Pro-Am Vantage GT3 from the Queensland round onwards.

“I’m excited to come back, but I feel like I almost have to learn to drive again,” said Batzios. “I’ve got the all clear on the medical, which is great, so I’m just going to take it one race at a time, but I’m really pleased to be back.

“I’m excited to link back up with Ross too. To be doing it with him will be awesome. We embarked on this journey together two years ago, so good to pick that up again, and this time, being together in the same car.

“I love the Queensland Raceway track. It’s always a fun track that provides good racing. It’s tricky to get a good lap in a GT car around there, but it’s definitely one of the more exciting tracks that we go to.”

Poulakis was part of the Volante Rosso set-up last year, sharing a Pro-Am entry with Jayden Ojeda and scoring a victory at Phillip Island on his way to fourth in the standings.

“I’m pretty excited about it,” said Poulakis, who also races in the Australian Prototype Series. “I haven’t been in a GT car since Queensland Raceway last year and there won’t be any testing, which will be interesting.

“My times for the experience I had compared to the Ams were very good and I think I qualified fourth there last year. It’ll be about building on that and seeing how quick I can get back into the rhythm.

“It’s entering for the fun element and if the results come it’ll be good.”