Mercedes-AMG Team GMR Wins FIA GT World Cup for Second Time
Maro Engel scores Hong Kong team’s eighth podium on streets of Macau
Mercedes-AMG Team GMR dramatically won the FIA GT World Cup in Macau courtesy of Maro Engel last weekend (16-17 Nov). The German brilliantly swept his Mercedes-AMG GT3 to a near seven-seconds victory on a rain-drenched 3.8-mile Guia circuit in the 16-lap Main Race.
Engel, who finished fourth in the Qualifying Race the previous day, snatched the lead on the penultimate lap, to repeat Mercedes-AMG Team GMR’s FIA GT World Cup win in 2019 – the last time the Hong Kong-based team contested the event.
Maro, who also set the fastest race lap in the difficult conditions, previously won at Macau in 2014, the inaugural FIA GT World Cup event in 2015 and was victorious again in 2022. The result marked the sixth consecutive GT3 victory for Mercedes-AMG at Macau.
The #130 Mercedes-AMG Team GMR car was the fastest and best-placed Mercedes-AMG GT3 in qualifying and both races.
Mercedes-AMG Team GMR will now prepare over the winter months for the opening round of the 2025 Intercontinental GT Championship, the Bathurst 12 Hours in Australia (2 Feb). The Hong Kong-based team plans to contest all seven rounds of the series including the Suzuka 1000km in Japan staged over 12-14 September.
Maro Engel (D). Age 39
GruppeM history: 2017 FIA GT World Cup (Macau), podium (main race). 2018 IGTC won Suzuka plus third and second Macau. 2022 DTM. 2023 IGTC third Bathurst & Indy, won Gulf 12 Hours. 2024 IGTC, eighth Bathurst & second Indy. Won FIA GT Cup, Macau.“I’m absolutely over the moon with the race win. “Mercedes-AMG Team GMR did a fantastic job throughout the Macau event and gave me a great car. “It was a wild and crazy race. In the dry, it was tough, but the car was amazing in the wet and it's great to deliver this victory. “We maximised what we had, extracting everything available to us. I am very happy and very proud. Thank you very much to everyone who contributed to this success.”
Kenny Chen, GruppeM Racing - Team Owner
“A truly fantastic result on what is essentially home soil for our team. “The weather gods looked down on us favourably today and Maro delivered in amazing style. “The team performed superbly throughout the event to the extent we were the fastest Mercedes-AMG GT3 on track in both races.“Thank you to Mercedes-AMG Customer Racing who continue to believe in us.”
Andy Smith, GMR Automotive Group - COO
“Everything went to plan in the Main Race with excellent work from the entire team and a superb drive, in very difficult conditions, by Maro.“He put the pressure on the two cars ahead of him at exactly the right time from which we ultimately benefitted. “Eight podiums since our Macau debut in 2017 is an incredible achievement.”
For further information, please contact:
Martyn Pass, GruppeM Racing Press & PR Manager.
Tel: +44 7801 859502 ~ Email: media@gmr-automotive.com