Iron Lynx used Qatar 1812 km as test for new Mercedes machinery

Iron Lynx used the 2025 FIA World Endurance Championship season-opener, the Qatar 1812 km, as a test for their new Mercedes-AMG machinery.

The team suffered a challenging debut with their two new Mercedes-AMG LMGT3s, having used the 10-hour race as a test session.

Mercedes had yet to debut into the FIA WEC and it marked the first time with their new torque sensors, only otherwise introduced to their customer teams firsthand at the IMSA 24 Hours of Daytona.

At the start of the third racing hour, Christian Reid lost the rear end of his #61 Mercedes-AMG due to a technical issue and beached the rear wheels in a gravel trap.

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The #61 Mercedes-AMG retired due as the yellow #60 Mercedes encountered problems as well, undergoing a three-hour repair job.

“We knew it was going to be a hard challenge, but we were hoping for something better,” said Iron Lynx team principal and CEO Andrea Piccini.

“Still, we used the second part of the race as a test, and we made some positive steps.

“We must consider that not only was it our first time with Mercedes-AMG in FIA WEC, but it was also the first time we had the chance to collaborate on-site, spending 10 days together to improve the operation and technical aspects.

“We will now be taking all the learnings and improvements into the next round of the year.”

Iron Lynx and their first race with Mercedes

One of the #61’s co-drivers Maxime Martin added: “First race of the season, and first FIA WEC race for Mercedes-AMG here in Qatar.

“It was big learning curve, and not the easiest weekend, but we had a lot of testing that allowed us to try different things.

“Unfortunately, we had to retire the #61 car for a technical issue.

“Still, we have a lot of improvements coming and I cannot wait to be back in the car to be in a better shape at Imola.”

The 6 Hours of Imola on 20 April will act as a home race for Iron Lynx, who are based locally to the circuit in Cesena.

With the #61’s retirement and #60 non-classification due to the fact they did not completed the required 70% minimum distance to be so, Iron Lynx undoubtedly seek a more competitive outcome.

READ MORE: WEC Prologue ‘learning curve’ for Iron Lynx’s new Mercedes-AMGs