Mercedes-AMG “Trying to Turn Around” IGTC Points Deficit

Mercedes-AMG does not see itself as the favorite in the Intercontinental GT Challenge powered by Pirelli title fight but is persistent in “trying to turn it around” according to the manufacturer’s head of Customer Racing.

The IGTC championship is coming into focus at this weekend’s Indianapolis 8 Hour presented by AWS which marks the penultimate stop on a five-round schedule.

With two races remaining, the defending IGTC champion is nine points behind BMW in the standings after the Munich-based manufacturer won the Kyalami 9 Hour and the CrowdStrike 24 Hours of Spa back-to-back.

There are two factory-driven Mercedes-AMG GT3 Evos at Indianapolis: one from GruppeM Racing and the other from defending 8 Hour winner Craft-Bamboo Racing.

Their main competition comes from the two BMW M4 GT3s run by Kyalami winner Team WRT.

“I think it’s a good and fair competition between BMW and us,” Mercedes-AMG’s Customer Racing director Stefan Wendl told Sportscar365.

“We are looking forward to another fight, even if I would wish to have a few more competitors on the grid which would make it even more exciting for the fans.

“Nevertheless, we expect a close fight between those two manufacturers at least. Porsche also looks quite good here, even if it’s not a full-Pro lineup.

“From our perspective, we don’t see ourselves in a favorite role. Since Bathurst, the tendency is visible that the BMW is a small step in front, but we will not give up in trying to turn it around.”

He added: “We are fully committed and believe in this concept of presenting our car and teams on an international level.

“Besides the fact that it’s a very nice trophy for the IGTC manufacturers’ championship, this is also of value. It is the only international manufacturers’ trophy available for GT cars.”

WRT is running the BMW at Indianapolis for the first time, although Wendl is not taking Mercedes-AMG’s most recent Indy 8H success for granted despite Craft-Bamboo reprising the local partnership that helped it to the 2022 win.

“I think it’s not a disadvantage to be here the third time in a row and have the defending team,” said Wendl.

“The help that Lone Star Racing provide in their preparation of the car, to our Asian friends from Craft-Bamboo, is for sure a help. GruppeM also knows how to win endurance races.

“But it’s WRT, so we will for sure not underestimate this team which is successful everywhere they go. It’s why we prepare as well as possible.

“Our driver lineup here in Indy is a clear commitment that we are trying to win it and defend our title.”

Wendl Prefers Silver Driver Mandate in Pro Class

The main regulation change since last year’s Indy 8H is the removal of a Silver driver mandate for IGTC entries.

This enables Craft-Bamboo and GruppeM Racing to run all-factory driver lineups after the former won the race with Silver-rated Daniel Morad alongside Raffaele Marciello and Daniel Juncadella.

Fanatec GT World Challenge America powered by AWS entries still need to obey a Silver driver mandate per their series rules, creating two different Pro classes at Indy.

“I personally liked it more as it was last year,” said Wendl when asked about the change.

“We will see a good battle and it’s good for our drivers to have it fully Pro.

“But the integration of Silver-rated drivers synchronized this race with the regulations of GT World Challenge America. It felt good.

“It gave us a chance to bring young, talented Silver drivers into a Pro lineup and level them on the highest possible stage.

“That’s why I liked this concept, but I know Stephane [Ratel, SRO founder and CEO] has good reasons to make it full-Pro and we follow this route.”