Strakka go to the max, signing Mercedes-AMG factory pair alongside previous winner Parente for The Mountain
Silverstone-based Strakka Racing are capitalising on new Mercedes-AMG Performance Team status for their assault on the 2018 Intercontinental GT Challenge, fielding factory drivers Maximilian Buhk and Maximilian Götz at the 2018 Bathurst 12 Hour.
Strakka Racing Blancpain Sprint Cup and McLaren factory driver Álvaro Parente will fill the third seat, aiming to add a second overall win to his 2016 victory at Mount Panorama, when he co-drove a Tekno Autosport McLaren 650S GT3 with Shane Van Gisbergen and Tekno team owner Jonathon Webb.
“Bathurst is a great race track and I have collected some great results there over the past two years,” says Parente. “I am more than ready to go back this year and fight for the win. Massive thanks to Strakka Racing for giving me this opportunity.”
Mercedes stalwart Buhk has unfinished business at Bathurst. “Having just missed out on the win in 2014, I’m delighted to be heading back to Bathurst to give it another go to try and make it to the top step of the podium,” he said.
Although third driver Maximilian Götz is new to the legendary Australian circuit, he has raced extensively alongside his Mercedes teammate. The two have shared a car in Blancpain Series competition and co-drove to win the 2013 Spa 24 Hours alongside Mercedes legend Bernd Schneider.
“I am excited to race at Bathurst for the first time in February with Strakka,” said the newcomer. “Being able to continue as part of the AMG family, alongside my teammates Maxi and Alvaro gives us a strong chance to bring home some great results.”
Strakka Racing team owner Nick Leventis will drive the sister car, joined by team driver coach Lewis Williamson and Italian rising GT star David Fumanelli. Supercars regular Cameron Waters fills the final seat, the young Australian Formula Ford and Dunlop Series champion bringing some local knowledge to the team on Strakka’s debut.
The team will represent Mercedes-AMG throughout the 2018 Intercontinental GT Challenge, going on to race at the Total 24 Hours of Spa and Suzuka 10 Hours before closing the season at Laguna Seca for the California 8 Hours. This year’s Bathurst 12 Hour takes place on the 2-4 February.
