Tagliani Set for Blancpain GT Effort in Zakspeed Mercedes

Photo: Brian Cleary/BCPix.com

Alex Tagliani is set for season of racing in Europe, with the Canadian open-wheel and sports car ace having been confirmed in a Zakspeed Mercedes-AMG GT3 for a likely effort in the Blancpain Endurance Cup.

The 42-year-old IndyCar veteran will team with fellow countryman Jean-Frédéric Laberge in the new GT3 contender, which will begin a testing program in next week’s Blancpain GT Series pre-season test at Paul Ricard.

“I am extremely excited to work with Zakspeed in the development of the new Mercedes AMG GT3,” Tagliani said. “It’s a new challenge for us, and we hope to develop a long relationship with the German team.”

Tagliani took part in January’s Hankook 24 Hours of Dubai, sharing a Porsche 911 GT3 Cup car with Laberge.

“My experience with JF in Dubai was conclusive,” he said. “We like the same kind of adjustments we’re the same size, which will allow us quick driver changes during pit stops.

“JF is quick to learn, and experience the Porsche driving cars is an asset. The 2016 season will be a learning season with a new car in addition to discover new tracks, but you never know what can happen along the way.”

The veteran German squad, led by Peter Zakowski, has most recently run in ADAC GT Masters but is understood to be expanding its operations to the SRO Motorsports Group-run championship this year with at least one car.

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