German outfit Zakspeed will step up to the Blancpain GT Series Endurance Cup full-time in 2017 with a pair of Mercedes-Bnez AMG GT3s.
The team competed in sporadic endurance events last season, but this year marks the first time Peter Zakoswki's team has committed to the full five-race calendar.
Four drivers have been announced so far, with World Endurance GTE-Am champion Rui Aguas heading the Pro-Am lineup.
The Portuguese driver will be joined by Greek racer Kriton Lendoudis and Argentinian José Balbiani, both of whom are bronze-rated.
“For us, the Blancpain GT Series Endurance Cup is an ideal platform for the GT3 customer sport," said team boss Zakowski.
"Obviously, one should never underestimate the competition, but our goal is to be a contender for the podium in the Pro-Am category.”
The only driver confirmed for the second Mercedes is 22-year-old German Immanuel Vinke, who raced in European GT4 last season.
Zakspeed will announce the remainder of its 2017 driver linup at the official Blancpain GT Series test weekend on March 13-14.