Reynolds confirmed in all-star factory Mercedes squad

Mercedes-AMG’s search for a record fourth Repco Bathurst 12 Hour campaign has received a further boost with confirmation of driving squads for their two outright-contending international teams returning to the Mountain this year.

Mercedes-AMG Team GruppeM Racing has confirmed that two-time Allan Simonsen pole award winner Maro Engel will return, to be joined by experienced Brazilian Felipe Fraga and Repco Bathurst 1000 winner, David Reynolds.

Meanwhile, Mercedes-AMG team Craft Bamboo Racing will see the returning Daniel Juncadella joined by Bathurst veteran Maximilian Götz and Aussie young-gun, Jayden Ojeda.

The Craft-Bamboo car will be supported by Caltex at the event this year and has shown off a bold new livery sporting the green, red and white of their new sponsor.

A record-equalling 10 Mercedes-AMG entries will contest the race this year, including defending champions SunEnergy1 Racing with Kenny Habul, Luca Stolz and now three-time Bathurst winner, Jules Gounon.

“Because of our wins in the past two cars, we are in the favourites’ role at Bathurst, so to say. To live up to the high expectations, we are again relying on our established Performance Teams and a line-up of high-quality drivers and local heroes,” said Stefan Wendl, Head of Mercedes-AMG Customer Racing.

“In this demanding race, experience is a decisive factor. Moreover, it makes us proud that we have the largest contingent of all brands with ten cars in this year’s field of the Bathurst 12 Hour. We are looking forward to the competition and we are optimally prepared for the challenge.”

Engel, who makes his eighth 12 Hour start this year, said his only goal was to deliver a long-anticipated if so far elusive Bathurst victory.

“Bathurst is one of the undisputed highlights on the calendar and one of my favourite races,” Engel said.

“The circuit is incredible and I also have fond memories because of the track record last year. I am already looking forward to working with Felipe and David.

“They are both very experienced and successful drivers I really welcome. We have a very strong team again. Unfortunately, I have never been able to win at Bathurst yet, so that is the big goal. We will do everything to achieve that, and we are well prepared, even though competition is strong again.”

GruppeM’s remarkable Bathurst track record includes a pair of podium finishes in recent years.

Reynolds is no stranger to GT racing on the Mountain either, with 2024 to represent his eighth 12 Hour start – six of those aboard Mercedes-AMG machinery.

After several starts recently with Triple Eight Race Engineering, Maximilan Götz is a two-time 12 Hour podium finisher and said his familiarity with both car and his new team will help this year.

“I am very much looking forward to Bathurst, it is always something special! The atmosphere and the track can be compared to the Nordschleife," Götz said.

"The undulation is making the track the most demanding circuit of the year for me. I already know Mercedes-AMG Team Craft-Bamboo Racing from my participations in GT World Challenge Asia last year. The guys are doing a fantastic job and so are my teammates Dani and Jayden. Standing on the top step of the podium is still missing for me.”

Craft Bamboo make their seventh visit to Bathurst as one of the most experienced international teams in 12 Hour history.

The Hong Kong based team finished third in 2015 and then second in 2022.

Ojeda is yet to tackle the Mountain in 12 Hour form, however raced a Mercedes-AMG GT3 with success in Fanatec GT World Challenge Australia championship races last season.

He’s also the reigning Bathurst 6 Hour winner in the Production Car classic.

Both the GruppeM and Craft Bamboo cars will be entered in the Pro class, as will the SunEnergy1 Racing entry.

They’ll be joined in the outright fight by the National Storage Racing car, to be driven by Broc Feeney, Will Brown and Mikael Grenier, and the Scott Taylor Motorsport car steered by Craig Lowndes, Cameron Waters and Thomas Randle.

The Bausele Pro-Am class will Heart of Racing by SPS make their Bathurst debut, alongside Triple Eight JMR and M Motorsport, while the Supabarn Supermarkets-backed Tigani entry will run in the Silver class.

Team Nineteen will field their Mercedes-AMG GT4 in the GT4 category.