Mercedes-AMG dominated and win 24 H of Nürburgring

Winward Racing dominated the ADAC RAVENOL 24h Nürburgring, initially with the #3 Mercedes-AMG Team Verstappen Racing car and finally with sister Mercedes-AMG Team RAVENOL #80. It is the second win in a row in the Intercontinental GT Challenge for Mercedes-AMG, Maro Engel and Maxime Martin since they claimed victory in the ADAC RAVENOL 24h Nürburgring after winning the 12 Hours of Bathurst in February.

RAVENOL Mercedes-AMG #80 wins

It is Mercedes-AMG first victory in the 24 Hours of Nürburgring in a decade, Maro Engel’s second overall win in the “Green Hell” as he was also part of the marque’s most recent triumph in 2016 and Maxime Martin’s first win in 15 participations to the famous Eiffel 24 hours race. Both drivers are now first of the IGTC drivers challenge as their co-driver in Bathurst race, Mikael Grenier, DNF in PROsport racing Mercedes-AMG #26. Luca Stolz and Fabian Schiller were also part of the Mercedes-AMG Team RAVENOL #80 success at the Nürburgring.

📷 © Luc Warnotte at 24 Hours of Nürburgring. Mercedes-AMG Team RAVENOL #80

The weekend didn’t start as planned following Engel’s accident in Top Qualifying 3 on Friday. As a result, the #80 Mercedes-AMG Team RAVENOL did start the race from 25th on the grid. A right tyre choice when the rain started to fall early evening turned out to be decisive as well as the mechanical issue for the leading sister car #3 that opened the way for victory to the quartet Engel, Martin, Schiller and Stolz.

Mercedes-AMG Team RAVENOL #80

Maro Engel, Mercedes-AMG Team RAVENOL #80: "We’ve had to wait ten long years for this success. Although rain wasn’t exactly the weather I’d hoped for in the final half-hour, I was still able to hold onto the position with confidence. Thanks to the team for getting the car back in such good shape after my mistake in qualifying. I feel very sorry for the sister car. Both Mercedes-AMG GT3 cars were really fast. But I’m just glad now that our hard work has finally paid off after such a long time. Thanks to all the spectators. The atmosphere was fantastic all weekend."
Maxime Martin, Mercedes-AMG Team RAVENOL #80: "It’s fantastic to secure this victory for Mercedes-AMG Motorsport after ten years. For me, it’s also finally my first win in what is now my 15th appearance. After three second-place finishes and a long wait, it feels absolutely brilliant. My father won here in 1992, and now I’ve done it, too. It’s a dream come true for me. All in all, it’s simply been an unforgettable weekend."
Fabian Schiller, Mercedes-AMG Team RAVENOL #80: "This victory is something very special. I’ve been competing here in the Mercedes-AMG GT3 since 2019 and have always dreamed of winning the race. That dream has now come true. The race was particularly challenging mentally. It rained on and off in various places. You never knew what to expect on the next lap. But we had the strongest package this weekend and we put it to perfect use on the track."
Luca Stolz, Mercedes-AMG Team RAVENOL #80: "It’s an incredible feeling to have secured this overall victory. All the pressure just lifts at once, because the final minutes were incredibly nerve-wracking. I’m delighted that we’ve been so successful this year with Mercedes-AMG Motorsport. The Mercedes-AMG Team RAVENOL provided us with a fantastic car. We knew that, with the crew, we had what it takes to succeed. Now, after an emotional rollercoaster ride, we’re right at the top. We can simply enjoy this." Source: Mercedes-AMG

From pole to 49th, the Abt Lamborghini ends second.

Pole sitter Mirko Bortolotti in the Abt Lamborghini Huracan GT3 EVO #84, didn’t enter the Nordschleife in the first lap as he headed straight back to the pits to change a damaged rear tyre. Together with Luca Engstler and Patric Niederhauser they charged through the field from 49th position to end second despite a more than 1:20 minute penalty.

📷 © Luc Warnotte at 24 Hours of Nürburgring. Abt Lamborghini Huracan GT3 EVO #84

Walkendhorst Aston Martin Vantage #34 third

Mattia Drudi in the #34 Walkenhorst Aston Martin Vantage GT3 was hunting behind the Abt Lamborghini hoping for a P2 as the #84 Lamborghini would be penalized by a 1:20 minute penalty at checkered flag but heavy traffic prevented him to finish third with a gap inferior to the penalty. Together with Christian Krognes and Nicki.Thiim they are classified third, 16.439 seconds behind the Lamborghini.

📷 © Luc Warnotte at 24 Hours of Nürburgring. #34 Walkenhorst Aston Martin Vantage GT3

Two BMW M4 in top 5

Daniel Harper, Max Hesse, Sheldon Van der Linde and Dries Vanthoor with ROWE Racing BMW M4 GT3 EVO #99 end fourth ahead of specially deveopped for the Nürburgring 24 Hours race BMW M Motorsport BMW M4 Touring 24H driven by Jens Klingmann, Ugo de Wilde, Connor de Phillippi and Neil Verhagen.

📷 © Luc Warnotte at 24 Hours of Nürburgring. left: #99 ROWE Racing BMW M4 GT3 EVO; right: #81 BMW M4 Touring 24h

Related Info

📷© 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

📷 © Luc Warnotte at NLS1. Current IGTC leader Mercedes-AMG with 4 PRO teams