Iron Lynx and Mercedes-AMG will join forces for next year’s FIA World Endurance Championship, with the two partnering up to enter WEC’s LMGT3 class.
With Lamborghini’s impending withdrawal from both WEC classes, a spot on the grid has opened up in LMGT3. Mercedes unsuccessfully tried to enter last year but were denied as they had no Hypercar effort, and were able to partner with an established WEC team — the two prerequisites for entering, with at least one having to be fulfilled.
With the new Iron Lynx partnership, though, Mercedes have found a team to join forces with. Iron Lynx have raced in the WEC since 2021, initially with Ferrari, then Porsche in 2023, before becoming Lamborghini’s factory partner for 2024.
However, with the relationship between the two having seemingly ended after just one season, Iron Lynx will now embark on a customer partnership with its fourth manufacturer.
The Italian team will enter two Mercedes-AMG GT3s into the championship, with team owner Claudio Schiavoni in one, and long-time Iron Lynx driver Matteo Cressoni in the other.
Iron Lynx also owns and runs the all-female Iron Dames team. However, the Dames are expected to be back in a Porsche next year, partnering with Manthey in the LMGT3 class.
“We are extremely proud to welcome Mercedes-AMG as a partner,” said Iron Lynx CEO and team principal, Andrea Piccini.
“In addition to being an amazing brand, they are highly motivated, determined, and hungry for success. With such strong support, I am confident we will be able to hit the ground running and be competitive from the start.
“We cannot wait to receive our new Mercedes-AMG LMGT3 race cars, start our preparation work for 2025, and continue our commitment to the FIA World Endurance Championship and to the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
“Endurance racing is rooted in our DNA, and FIA WEC is definitely its pinnacle, so we are honoured and excited to be part of it once again.”
Mercedes back at Le Mans
For Mercedes, the new Iron Lynx relationship is a turning point. The German manufacturer has not had an on track presence at Le Mans of any kind since 1999, when it entered three Mercedes CLRs into the GTP class.
However, the cars at a terrible habit of flipping at high speed, with Peter Dumbreck’s car famously flipping on the run between Mulsanne Corner and Indianapolis, landing off track between trees. Before this, a young Mark Webber’s Mercedes also flipped in warm up, and the same car, also with Webber at the wheel, also flipped in practice.
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