At the last event in the Endurance Cup of the GT World Challenge Europe at the Nürburgring in early September, the Mercedes-AMG Team HRT clinched a podium position. Next weekend, October 8 to 10, the finale of the fiercely contested international race series is held at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya.
HRT will send two Mercedes-AMG GT3s into the 3-hour race on the 4.655 kilometer circuit just outside Barcelona. Maro Engel, Luca Stolz and Nico Bastian (all GER) take turns in the #4 car, which will start in the pink and blue BTW livery under the entry "Mercedes-AMG Team HRT". As at the Nürburgring, Bastian is filling in for regular driver Vincent Abril (MCO), who is contesting the DTM finale at the Norisring at the same time.
As usual, Hubert Haupt and Patrick Assenheimer (both GER) are at the wheel of the #5 sister car, which will compete in the Silver Cup, donning the colors of team partners AutoArena and nu concept. The driver trio is completed by Indy Dontje (NED), who had already supported the team at the Spa 24-hour race.
At the season finale of the GT World Challenge, a starting field of altogether 47 participants in different classes is expected. The Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya is hosting an event of the racing series for the sixth time in total. Last year, the finale in the Sprint Cup was held there and next weekend, the circuit will be the venue for the final season event in the Endurance Cup – as it was from 2017 to 2019.
Luca Stolz, #4 Mercedes-AMG Team HRT: "Not everything went perfectly in the GT World Challenge this season. However, at the Nürburgring we finally managed to clinch the much-awaited podium and showed that we are always good for a top finish. We want to prove that again in Barcelona, even though the competition will be very strong again."
Hubert Haupt, team owner HRT / #5 Haupt Racing Team: "At the last race we came up with a good performance that we can build on. A podium finish in the Silver Cup would be a nice way to end the season. After P3 at the Nürburgring, I'm confident that our #4 sister car can achieve another top position in Barcelona. We will give everything once again to end the season successfully."
Sean Paul Breslin, Team Principal HRT: "The upcoming race weekend will be a great challenge as we will again be competing in two race series at the same time. In Barcelona, we want to confirm our recent strong performances. Our entire team has done a great job throughout the year and more than deserves a successful end to the season."
About HRT
HRT stands for HAUPT RACING TEAM. Formed in June 2020 by racing driver and entrepreneur Hubert Haupt, the team enjoys success in GT3 racing. 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 also has its own eSPORTS team in the professional sim racing sector 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.
