Buhk, Baumann in Separate HTP Mercedes-AMGs for Sprint Cup

Reigning Blancpain GT Series champions Maxi Buhk and Dominik Baumann will be in seperate HTP Motorsport Mercedes-AMG GT3s for the Sprint Cup, the German squad has confirmed. 

The pairing has been split up for the upcoming season, with Buhk remaining on the No. 84 car and being joined by Franck Perera in a factory backed Mercedes-AMG “Performance Team” entry.

The 33-year-old Frenchman took two pole positions for the ISR Audi team in 2016, but has switched brands over the winter months.

Youngsters Jules Szymkowiak, one of the standout performers last year, and 19-year-old German Fabian Schiller will share the No. 85 car, which is entered in the Silver Cup, but might very well vie for the overall honors.

Schiller took the Renault Sport Trophy Endurance and Am titles last year with Marc VDS Racing and Markus Palttala. 

Baumann, meanwhile, will pair with Swede Jimmy Eriksson, who comes off a disappointing GP2 campaign. 

“This racing series provides a perfect platform with both sprint and endurance races for professional private teams like us, with the 24 hours of Spa in July as a special highlight,” said HTP team boss Norbert Brückner.

“For the Sprint Cup we should be set up well with three Mercedes-AMG GT3 and strong driver pairings, knowing the competition will be extremely tough.”

The team has yet to confirm its Endurance Cup lineups, although the season doesn’t kick off until April 23 at Monza. The Sprint Cup season gets underway this weekend in Misano.