Next week (26th to 29th May), the eyes of motorsport enthusiasts all over the world will be on the Nürburgring, when the Eifel circuit’s famous Gesamtstrecke (Whole Course) layout hosts the 50th edition of the legendary 24-hour race. Haupt Racing Team is making its third appearance at this motorsport highlight in the Green Hell, and is looking to challenge at the very front.
- HRT to field two Mercedes-AMG GT3 at the 50th staging of the 24h Nürburgring
- #6 Mercedes-AMG GT3 sports special heritage design
- Top line-up in both cars (Pro and Pro-Am class)
As it did last year, HRT will field two Mercedes-AMG GT3 in the SP9 class. Both cars will appear with strong driver line-ups under the title “Mercedes-AMG Team Bilstein”. As such, Haupt Racing Team is again one of the spearheads of the Mercedes-AMG contingent at the 24h Nürburgring – one of the most important endurance races in the customer racing programme of the performance and sports car manufacturer from Affalterbach.
Alternating at the wheel of the #12 GT3, which takes on the 24-hour challenge in the classic blue and yellow Bilstein livery, will be Mercedes-AMG Performance drivers Philip Ellis, Raffaele Marciello (both SUI) and Luca Stolz (GER). The number 6 car lines up in the Pro-Am class and will be driven by Nordschleife specialist Nico Bastian, Marvin Dienst, team owner Hubert Haupt (all GER), and Gabriele Piana (ITA). The driver line-ups have had to be reshuffled, as Manuel Metzger is on the road to recovery following his crash during the 24h Qualifiers, but is not yet ready for action.
HRT and Bilstein present exclusive 24h Nürburgring Heritage Car
HRT and Bilstein have again come up with something very special for the 50th staging of the Nordschleife classic: The #6 Mercedes-AMG GT3 will sport a special “50 Years of Heritage" design, based on one of the first Bilstein cars. This car will exclusively be run at the 24h Nürburgring and, with its special livery, is the perfect addition to the HRT Art Cars of previous years.
HRT and Bilstein ran their first Art Car – the so-called “Masken-Fahrzeug” (Mask Car) – at the Nordschleife classic in 2020, and immediately caught the eye. Last year, the #6 HRT GT3 starts in a striking livery from streetwear brand Palace Skateboards. The “50-Jahre Heritage” car is now set to continue this tradition.
Haupt Racing Team and the chassis specialists at Bilstein have enjoyed a close and successful partnerships for almost three years. This season, Bilstein is once again official technology partner of HRT. The iconic blue and yellow Mercedes-AMG GT3 will also be run in the DTM and the Nürburgring Endurance Series, as well as at the 24h Nürburgring.
HRT sets its sights on overall victory
Haupt Racing Team has performed strongly in its previous two appearances in the 24h Nürburgring, but has so far gone unrewarded. However, they remain just as ambitious and are determined to challenge at the very front of the field this year – and then to cross the finish line first when the race concludes at 16:00 on the Sunday.
Sean Paul Breslin, team principal HRT: “The wait is finally over. The 24h Nürburgring. Our favourite race. The road has been a rocky one, and this year we will be without Manuel Metzger. We wish him all the best and hope he is back to full fitness again soon. Philip Ellis, who has done a great job in the #6 so far this season, will replace him. New on board is Marvin Dienst, and we welcome him to the team. We are ready and can hardly wait to take to the track with both cars!”
Luca Stolz, #12 Mercedes-AMG Team Bilstein: “The whole team is really motivated and will do everything in its power to be successful at the Nürburgring. I am really looking forward to this event in its 50th anniversary year, and would love to secure a success for Mercedes-AMG and HRT.”
Raffaele Marciello, #12 Mercedes-AMG Team Bilstein: “I am totally motivated ahead of this big event and ready to give it my all to score the best possible result for me and the team. I also want to get a good result for Manuel, who will miss the race.”
Philip Ellis, #12 Mercedes-AMG Team Bilstein: “The 24-hour race at the Nürburgring is a real highlight. For us drivers, and for the fans. We want to put on a good show and ultimately be successful for Mercedes-AMG and HRT.”
Hubert Haupt, #6 Mercedes-AMG Team Bilstein: “It is not only the toughest GT3 race in the world – it is also the motorsport classic that I would like to win most. Ideally as a driver – but, as the team owner, I would also be pleased for our second car. For me, Bilstein’s heritage design on our #6 car is the visual highlight.”
Nico Bastian, #6 Mercedes-AMG Team Bilstein: “This year, I am expecting a really special 24-hour race – not only because of the big anniversary, but also because the crowds will be back for the first time in two years.
Furthermore, I am proud to be at the wheel of a special Bilstein car.”
Marvin Dienst, #6 Mercedes-AMG Team Bilstein: “It was a spontaneous decision to race for HRT this year, and I am really looking forward to driving alongside Nico and Hubert. For me, it is about getting up to speed as quickly as possible. After that, we just have to hope that the 50th edition of the 24h Nürburgring has green lights right through to the finish.”
Gabriele Piana, #6 Mercedes-AMG Team Bilstein: “I am thrilled to have been named as the fourth driver in the number 6 car for HRT, and really hope that I can repay the faith they have put in me with a good performance.”
About HRT
HRT stands for HAUPT RACING TEAM. Formed in July 2020 by racing driver and entrepreneur Hubert Haupt, the team enjoys success in GT3 racing. Among other things, HRT secured the 2021 DTM drivers' championship in just its second motorsport season. HRT lines up with extended works support from Mercedes-AMG in many of the team's outings. The outings and cars are prepared in Meuspath, not far from the Nürburgring. HRT is also involved in professional sim racing and is a sought-after partner for motorsport events of all sorts. HRT can call on a host of experts with a wealth of motorsport and engineering experience, which the diverse motorsport company leverages when implementing technical development projects for and with its partners. The headquarters of Haupt Racing Team GmbH is Grünwald near Munich. The team owner is racing driver and businessman Hubert Haupt. As well as motorsport, Haupt is primarily known as a successful property developer. With his real estate company, he implements high-quality living and building concepts in southern Germany – from innovative buildings to complete districts.
