For Mercedes-AMG, the year-ending highlight of the international GT3 racing season is connected with a clear goal: defending the title in the FIA GT World Cup 2016 in Macau. During last year’s inaugural running, Mercedes-AMG made a perfect debut: with the SLS AMG GT3, Maro Engel claimed the trophy by virtue of his pair of victories in the qualification race and the main race at the Guia Circuit. His team-mate Renger van der Zande finished fourth on both occasions to help Mercedes-AMG secure the manufacturers’ title as well. This year, the two drivers will be racing a pair of new Mercedes-AMG GT3 with starting numbers 1 and 2 in Macau from November 17-20, 2016.
Once again, the 6.1 kilometres long Guia Cicuit in the Chinese metropolis of Macau will set the stager for the world’s finest GT3 racers: the prestigious showdown of the 2016 season will see the best drivers and teams on the grid to claim the coveted title, awarded by the global motoring organisation FIA.
Mercedes-AMG having won last year’s race with the SLS AMG GT3, adding to its earlier Macau Grand Prix win in 2014, the Mercedes-AMG GT3 will be out to defend the title for the first time in 2016. In its debut season, the new race car already enjoyed numerous achievements including the historic quadruple win in the 24-hour race at the Nürburgring-Nordschleife, the Blancpain GT Series title and further international race wins.
Maro Engel, Mercedes-AMG Driving Academy #1: “I love this track, it is simply unbelievable and the only other tracks in the world you can compare it with are the Nürburgring-Nordschleife and Mount Panorama in Bathurst. Every year, the best drivers and manufacturers in GT3 racing are up against each other there. And that with a format that only provides very little practice time and only gives you this ‘one shot’. Everything really has to be perfect in order to win the FIA GT World Cup title. A huge challenge, but I think it is exactly that what all the drivers love about Macau. Anyway, we are highly motivated and we want to defend our titles from the previous years.”
Renger van der Zande, Mercedes-AMG Driving Academy #2: “I am delighted to be racing in Macau for the eighth time already. Driving at what I consider as the world’s best race track is always an honour for me. It is like one giant party to conclude a long season. You feel this special atmosphere everywhere. At the track, the first few corners are particularly significant. Therefore, being able to start from the front row is a huge advantage. During the race, you have to make your decisions quickly in Macau and especially stay away from the walls at the narrow street circuit.”
Jochen Bitzer, head of AMG Customer Sports: “With the sensational win in the Nürburgring 24-hour race and the Blancpain GT Series title, 2016 has already been a very successful year for us. Defending the title in Macau would be the icing on the cake after an outstanding season. Certainly, the chances to do so aren’t bad at all, because with Maro and Renger driving our new Mercedes-AMG GT3, we have a competitive team on the grid.”