Engel, Martin, Mercedes-AMG increase IGTC lead
The SP9 GT3 category suffered a serious blow at the Nürburgring 24 Hours, with 12 PRO cars eliminated out of 22 at the start. Only 8 of the GT3 PRO "survivors" finish in the top 10. Mercedes-AMG was not spared from withdrawals, with only 1 of its 4 Mercedes-AMG GT3 PRO in the top 10. Engel, Martin and Mercedes-AMG, however, made the most of the opportunity at the Intercontinental GT Challenge.
Engel, Martin increase lead in the Intercontinental GT Challenge
It was Maro Engel and Maxime Martin second victory in the second round of the Intercontinental GT Challenge. Having already secured victory at the season-opener in Bathurst, the duo also claimed the maximum 25 points at the Nürburgring, extending their lead in the drivers’ championship. Their co-driver at Bathurst, Mikael Grenier, didn’t end the race with car #26.
📷 © Luc Warnotte at 24 Hours of Nürburgring. Mercedes-AMG Team RAVENOL #80
Two Mercedes-AMG score points for Mercedes-AMG in the Intercontinental GT Challenge
In addition, Toyo Tires with Ring Racing #32 Mercedes-AMG GT3 secured six points for Mercedes-AMG Motorsport in the IGTC manufacturers’ championship – Mercedes-AMG therefore is in the lead of the standings. The PRO-AM trio, Yuichi Nakayama, Andreas Gülden and Tim Sandtler ends 17th overall, 13th overall in IGTC ranking and 7th in PRO-AM ranking.
Toyo Tires with Ring Racing #32 Mercedes-AMG GT3
A third overall victory at the 24h Nürburgring for Mercedes-AMG Motorsport
Ten years after its last victory, Mercedes-AMG Motorsport has once again won the prestigious ADAC RAVENOL 24h Nürburgring. The Mercedes-AMG Team RAVENOL, comprising Maro Engel (GER), Maxime Martin (BEL), Fabian Schiller, and Luca Stolz (both GER), triumphed in the 54th edition thanks to an impressive team performance, finishing over two minutes ahead of its nearest rival.
For Mercedes-AMG Motorsport, the Mercedes-AMG Team RAVENOL #80 win marks a historic third victory in the Eifel classic, following triumphs in 2013 and 2016. Maro Engel was already part of the winning quartet in 2016. Martin, Schiller, Stolz, and Winward Racing celebrated their first victory in the 24-hour race on the Nürburgring Nordschleife.
Winward Racing dominated the race
The two Mercedes-AMG Performance Teams led for 129 laps of the 156 covered by the winning Mercedes-AMG GT3.
Starting from 25th on the grid, the #80 Mercedes-AMG GT3 managed to make up several places right from the start.
📷 © Luc Warnotte at 24 Hours of Nürburgring. #80 Mercedes-AMG GT3
When the rain started to fall for the first time after around four hours, the team made the right decision and switched to MICHELIN wet tyres early on. Thereafter, Mercedes-AMG Team RAVENOL and Mercedes-AMG Team Verstappen Racing held first and second place for the majority of the race.
During the night, the two performance cars repeatedly swapped the lead in a series of close battles on the Döttinger Höhe.
📷 © Luc Warnotte at 24 Hours of Nürburgring. left: Mercedes-AMG Team RAVENOL; right: Mercedes-AMG Team Verstappen Racing
With four hours to go, Lucas Auer, Jules Gounon, Daniel Juncadella, and Max Verstappen were initially forced to retire the #3 car from Mercedes-AMG Team Verstappen Racing due to a faulty driveshaft. The car rejoined the race for the final lap and was classified in 37th place.
📷 © Luc Warnotte at 24 Hours of Nürburgring. Mercedes-AMG Team RAVENOL
Even in the closing stages, Mercedes-AMG Team RAVENOL remained flawless despite changeable weather conditions and a few incidents, crossing the finish line in commanding fashion after 24 hours and 5 minutes 27 seconds, having completed 156 laps.
Only one Mercedes-AMG GT3 PRO in top 36
Out on the four Mercedes-AMG GT3 PRO at the start of the 24 Hours of Nüburgring, the #80 was the only one to run the two times around the clock race.
Mercedes-AMG Team Verstappen Racing #3
Despite crossing the checkered flag 37th, the Mercedes-AMG Team Verstappen Racing #3 had to stay more than 3 hours 27 minutes in the pit before Juncadella could go for a last lap to cross the line with sister #80 for the photo.
Mercedes-AMG Team Verstappen Racing #3
#26 PROsport Racing Team BILSTEIN
The #26 car from PROsport Racing Team BILSTEIN was in the top 10 in the early hours of the morning. With five hours to go, a broken splitter forced the team to retire.
#26 PROsport Racing Team BILSTEIN
#47 KCMG
KCMG initially established itself among the leading group at the start. After four hours, the #47 KCMG Mercedes-AMG GT3 was hit from behind by a rival and was unable to continue the race.
#47 KCMG Mercedes-AMG GT3
Related Info
📷 © Luc Warnotte at Nürburgring 2026. Mercedes-AMG dominated and win 24 H of Nürburgring
📷© Luc Warnotte at Nürburgring 2026. The "Grello" out at the fourth hour and Ford lead
📷 © Luc Warnotte at Nürburgring Top Qualifying 3. Two Lamborghini Huracan squat front row of N24
📷 © Luc Warnotte at Nürburgring Qualifying 1. Mercedes-AMG and BMW share the top 4 Thursday N24
