Mercedes-AMG targets long-awaited Nürburgring 24h victory with four entries

Mercedes-AMG fields four cars in three classes for the 2025 Nürburgring 24h, aiming to end a 9-year victory drought and reclaim the top podium spot.

Mercedes-AMG is setting its sights on reclaiming victory at one of the world’s toughest and most iconic endurance races — the 24 Hours of Nürburgring. From June 19 to 22, the 53rd edition of the legendary race will unfold on the “Green Hell,” and for the brand from Affalterbach, it’s high time to end a nine-year winless streak.

This year, Mercedes-AMG is entering four cars across three classes. Two factory-backed GT3 entries from Mercedes-AMG Team GetSpeed will compete in the top-tier SP9 PRO category. The #14 car will be piloted by Nordschleife veterans Maro Engel, Maxime Martin, Fabian Schiller, and Luca Stolz. Experience matters here: Engel and Christodoulou are former winners, while Stolz and Martin are regular podium finishers. Notably, both Martin and Stolz are tackling all three major 24-hour races in succession — Le Mans, Nürburgring, and Spa.

The sister car, 17, will turn heads with its “PRPL Beast” livery, combining the legacy of the “Beast of the Green Hell” with a nod to motorsport’s fastest “Purple Sector.” The line-up blends youth and experience: from Lucas Auer making his debut, to seasoned campaigner Adam Christodoulou, returning for his twelfth Nürburgring 24h with Mercedes-AMG.

Beyond the factory cars, two more entries will come from SR Motorsport by Schnitzelalm — a GT3 in the SP9 PRO-AM class and a GT4 in SP10. Veteran Kenneth Heyer marks his 20th start in the race, with co-drivers Jay Mo Härtling and Jannes Fittje, while the fourth GT3 driver is yet to be named.

Preparation has been intense. In the recent 24h Qualifiers, Team GetSpeed showed its mettle: car #14 finished fifth and fourth, while 17 secured a second and a sixth place. Engel and Auer missed the session due to DTM commitments, but the rest of the team clocked valuable Nordschleife mileage.

Still, the central question looms: is Mercedes-AMG ready to break its nine-year drought? The odds may be in its favor, considering the team’s recent consistency on the podium, its detailed planning, and an expansive fan programme featuring a showroom at ring°boulevard, simulators, autograph sessions, and more in the paddock.

But rivals like Porsche, BMW, Audi, and Aston Martin are all fielding competitive cars. The weather forecast hints at unpredictability — a classic Nordschleife variable that can turn the race on its head at any moment.

Yet, there’s confidence in the AMG camp. As Maro Engel put it: “It’s definitely time to repeat the success of 2016.” Whether this will be the year of redemption remains to be seen — we’ll know by 4 p.m. on June 22.

Source: mercedes-benz.com