Cumbrian racing driver Frank Bird and his German-based Haupt Racing Team will be in action this weekend when they contest the ADAC 24h Nürburgring Qualifiers in the new Mercedes-AMG GT2.
In preparation for the ADAC TotalEnergies 24h Race Nürburgring later in the year, and following an intensive development phase covering many test kilometres, HRT will bring the new car to the grid which boasts a power output of over 700bhp.
The event will see the #46 Mercedes-AMG GT2 contest the two qualifying races, over two and four hours respectively, in the SPX class under the Mercedes-AMG Team HRT entry. Penrith-born Frank Bird, German teammates Elia Erhart and Jörg Viebahn along with Mercedes-AMG test and development driver Thomas Jäger also from Germany will share the wheel for the Mercedes-AMG GT2's first official appearance on the Nürburgring-Nordschleife.
After the qualifying races, preparations for the HRT Mercedes-AMG GT2's next endurance test will begin as from 18/21 May, the GT2 team will also compete in the ADAC TotalEnergies 24h race at the Nürburgring..
Frank Bird, #46 Mercedes-AMG Team HRT: “I am super excited for this brand-new project with the GT2 machine. I have no expectations but it has huge potential so I’m just looking to gain as much valuable mileage and data for the car as I can. I’m really looking forward to seeing what it’s like round the challenging Nordschleife circuit. Thanks to AMG and HRT for this opportunity and to my own sponsors, and especially my dad Paul, for their support again this season.”
Ulrich Fritz, Chief Executing Officer Haupt Racing Team: "We are delighted with the trust placed in us by Mercedes-AMG to validate the final development of the new Mercedes-AMG GT2 together with the Haupt Racing Team at these important races on the world's most demanding racetrack at the Nürburgring. The whole team is highly motivated and looking forward to working with the drivers and the Mercedes-AMG development team at the two upcoming races."
Images: The Haupt Racing Team livery of Frank Bird’s Mercedes-AMG GT2 for the ADAC 24h Nürburgring Qualifiers