SunEnergy1 Mercedes Set for Hungaroring Sprint Cup Debut

Photo: Blancpain GT

An additional Mercedes-AMG GT3 will take part in next weekend’s Blancpain GT Series Sprint Cup round at the Hungaroring, with SunEnergy1 Racing set for its European sprint race debut.

The American-backed effort, run by U.S.-based Australian Kenny Habul, will see Habul joined by longtime co-driver Tristan Vautier in the Pro-Am Cup.

AKKA ASP will operate the car on behalf of SunEnergy1, in what is expected to be an expanded five-car effort for the French squad, including the AKKA-supported SMP Racing Mercedes. 

Habul, who is racing in this weekend’s Suzuka 10 Hours in a SunEnergy1 Mercedes run by Black Falcon, took part in last month’s Total 24 Hours of Spa with HTP Motorsport.

Both efforts came after his split with Riley Motorsports, which operated SunEnergy1’s Mercedes in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship prior to the team’s withdrawal in July.

While Virgin Australia Supercars ace Jamie Whincup is set to join Habul for a return to WeatherTech Championship competition next month at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, it’s still unclear which team will operate the car.

It’s understood SunEnergy1 is also likely to contest the Intercontinental GT Challenge season-ending California 8 Hours.

Laurent Mercier contributed to this report

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