Stolz-Martin in #77 Mercedes-AMG for Suzuka 1000km
At the 50th edition of the Suzuka 1000km, taking place from 11 to 13 September, Mercedes-AMG Motorsport will field an experienced line-up run by Craft-Bamboo Racing in the Pro class with Maxime Martin and Luca Stolz. The objective is to secure further valuable points in the IGTC Drivers' Championship, where Luca Stolz and Maxime Martin currently occupy second and third place respectively.
📷©️ Mercedes-AMG Motorsport. #77 Craft-Bamboo Racing Mercerdes-AMG GT3
Mercedes-AMG and drivers lead the Intercontinental GT Challenge
Ahead the fourth of five rounds in this year's Intercontinental GT Challenge (IGTC), Engel, Stolz and Martin occupy first, second and third place in the Intercontinental GT Challenge. Following the opening rounds at Bathurst, the Nürburgring and Spa, the race at Japan's Suzuka Circuit serves as the penultimate event of the season before the championship concludes in Indianapolis.
📷 © Luc Warnotte at 24 Hours of Nürburgring. Mercedes-AMG Team RAVENOL #80
Maro Engel currently leads the Drivers' Championship with 68 points. The Mercedes-AMG Performance Driver has won both the Bathurst 12 Hour and the ADAC RAVENOL 24h Nürburgring this season, in addition to finishing second at the CrowdStrike 24 Hours of Spa. However, due to a calendar clash between the remaining IGTC rounds – the Suzuka 1000km and October's Indianapolis 8 Hour – and the DTM, Engel will not be able to contest the remainder of the championship.
Toyo Tires with Ring Racing #32 Mercedes-AMG GT3
As a result, Mercedes-AMG’s objective is to secure further valuable points in the IGTC Drivers' Championship with Luca Stolz and Maxime Martin heading to Suzuka as strong title contenders.
Martin and Stolz will co-drive the #77 Mercedes-AMG GT3 with Kakunoshin Ohta, a factory-supported entry competing under the Mercedes-AMG Team Craft-Bamboo Racing banner.
Stolz arrives in Suzuka second in the Drivers' Championship with 51 points, following victory at the ADAC RAVENOL 24h Nürburgring in May and a runner-up finish at the CrowdStrike 24 Hours of Spa at the end of June.
Team-mate Martin claimed victory in this year's Bathurst 12 Hour and also triumphed alongside Stolz at the ADAC RAVENOL 24h Nürburgring. He sits third in the standings, just one point behind Stolz. The driver trio of Martin, Ohta and Stolz will compete in the Pro class.
📷 © Luc Warnotte at 24 Hours of Nürburgring. #80 Mercedes-AMG GT3
Maxime Martin, Mercedes-AMG Team Craft-Bamboo Racing #77: “After the IGTC rounds at Bathurst and the Nürburgring, expectations are high. We definitely want to maintain our lead and continue the positive momentum we've built so far. Even though Spa was a difficult weekend for me personally, I'm hoping to bounce back in Suzuka. Although Luca is one of my closest rivals in the championship, it's a great opportunity to share a Mercedes-AMG GT3 with him, and together with Kakunoshin we'll be aiming to go for the win.”
Luca Stolz, Mercedes-AMG Team Craft-Bamboo Racing #77: “The Suzuka Circuit is a fantastic, fast and demanding track that is incredibly enjoyable to drive. At the same time, the often high temperatures and humidity push both drivers and teams to their limits. I've competed in this endurance classic three times so far and my best result has been a podium finish in the Pro-Am class back in 2018. Together with Mercedes-AMG Team Craft-Bamboo Racing, I hope to change that this year and build on my recent IGTC performances at the Nürburgring and Spa.”
A third overall victory at the 24h Nürburgring for Mercedes-AMG Motorsport
At the Nürburgring, both 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.
Mercedes-AMG Team RAVENOL and Mercedes-AMG Team Verstappen Racing held first and second place for the majority of the race.
📷 © 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 to cross the line with winning #80 Mercedes-AMG Team RAVENOL.
📷 © Luc Warnotte at 24 Hours of Nürburgring. Mercedes-AMG Team RAVENOL
Mercedes-AMG Motorsport second in the championship
Mercedes-AMG Motorsport currently occupies second place with 84 points, just eight points adrift of the championship leaders.
Mercedes-AMG Team Verstappen Racing #3
Two Mercedes-AMG GT3 in Pro-Am
A second Mercedes-AMG GT3 in the Pro class will be fielded by 75 Express. Team owner Kenny Habul will be joined by Mercedes-AMG Performance Drivers Philip Ellis and Mikaël Grenier. Grenier and Habul have also both contested every Suzuka IGTC event since the race became part of the championship calendar in 2018.
Craft-Bamboo Racing will also enter a second Mercedes-AMG GT3 in the Pro-Am class. João Paulo de Oliveira (BRA), Kevin Tse (FIA) and Daisuke Yamawaki (JPN) will share driving duties. Craft-Bamboo Racing claimed the Pro-Am class victory in 2025 with a line-up that included Kevin Tse.
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📷 © Luc Warnotte at Nürburgring 24 Hours 2026. One Ford Mustang GT3 survived finishing 8th
📷 © Luc Warnotte at Nürburgring 24 Hours 2026. Porsche 911 GT3 R wins SP9 PRO AM and AM categories
📷© Luc Warnotte at Nürburgring 2026. Engel, Martin, Mercedes-AMG increase IGTC lead
📷 © Luc Warnotte at Nürburgring 2026. Mercedes-AMG dominated and win 24 H of Nürburgring
