•     The starting drivers for the 24-hour race at the Nürburgring are confirmed
•     Weather conditions require strategic foresight
•     Three different tyre compounds are available

Mercedes-AMG Motorsport is prepared for what is expected to be a hot race in the Eifel. The weather forecasts for this year’s ADAC RAVENOL 24h Race promise temperatures close to 30 degrees Celsius, which poses particular challenges for teams, drivers and cars alike. Finding the optimum strategy at the right time will be a decisive key to success. So far, the Mercedes-AMG Team GetSpeed and SR Motorsport by Schnitzelalm have completed the practice sessions in an experienced manner, carried out the necessary preparatory work professionally and are well prepared for the tasks ahead.

Starting stage and starting drivers
The first priority in the race is to survive the tricky start phase unscathed. This is where the drivers’ experience and racing skills come into play, as they must strike the right balance between caution and aggression in the battle for positions. Maro Engel (GER) will take on this task in the #14 Mercedes-AMG GT3, while Adam Christodoulou (GBR) will lead the #17 sister car into the race. Jay Mo Härtling (GER) will be at the wheel of the #11 car and Kenneth Heyer (GER) will take the first turn in the #111 Mercedes-AMG GT4.

During the first four hours of the race, the priority is to join the leading group and swiftly establish an optimal racing rhythm. This applies to the drivers, engineers and pit crews, who will dispatch the Mercedes-AMG GT3s. A regular stop after eight race laps must last at least 3:17 minutes – from crossing the white line at the pit entrance to exiting, at which point the 60 km/h speed limiter is deactivated. The pure stopping time is 2:40 minutes seconds, including refuelling and a possible tyre and driver change. It is also possible to change the front brakes, which must be done at least once during the 24-hour race. The first stop of the race may take place after five laps at the earliest.

A driver change is only planned for the second stop. This is because Mercedes-AMG Team GetSpeed is initially focussing on double stints. One driver will complete the maximum possible eight laps twice until the early hours of the morning. Although the cockpit of the Mercedes-AMG GT3 is well ventilated, the load is high at certain points. On the other hand, the longer driving time of a single driver helps to implement any necessary adjustments to the suspension set-up or tyre pressure in a more targeted manner. Conversely, double stints also allow for longer rest and regeneration phases. The maximum permitted driving time per driver is three hours. After more than two hours in the cockpit, the regulations stipulate a break of at least two hours. In order to give the drivers the necessary rest, Mercedes-AMG Motorsport has set the maximum number of four drivers per car.

Several tyres to choose from
In view of the high temperatures, the correct management of the tyres also plays an important role. The AMG teams have three different types of dry tyre at their disposal: cold, medium and hot. With asphalt temperatures expected to exceed 50 degrees, the ‘cold’ variant will hardly be used, even at night when it is cooler. Timing is crucial when switching from hot to medium in the evening hours in order to make the best possible use of the tyres’ respective potential. At sunrise, the opposite is true. The right temperature conditions must be exploited to switch back from medium to hot. The harder ‘hot compound’ is recommended for track temperatures of around 30 degrees Celsius. The softer ‘medium compound’ performs best at temperatures between 10 and 30 degrees Celsius. The number of tyres available is not limited in general.

“As in any endurance race, the key to success will be the optimum strategy. We and our teams can draw on many years of experience in this area. With Pacetech, we also have a partner at our side who provides us with the necessary data. We are basically in a good position for the race, the speed is competitive. Now we have to read the race correctly and make the right decisions quickly at the right time.“
Stefan Wendl, Head of Mercedes-AMG Customer Racing

Figures, Data, Facts