Mercedes-AMG sets new lap record for GT cars at Bathurst in Australia

A successful record run by Mercedes-AMG at the prestigious Repco Bathurst 12 Hour. With a special version of the Mercedes-AMG GT3, the performance and sports car brand wrote another piece of motorsport history in Australia on Saturday.

Mercedes-AMG Performance Driver Jules Gounon (AND) took up the challenge behind the wheel of the about 650 hp strong racing car at Mount Panorama Circuit. The three-time Bathurst winner covered the 6.213 kilometres at an average speed of 191.82 kph. With a time of 1m 56.605s, he posted the fastest lap time ever set with a GT car at the circuit.

The reigning Intercontinental GT Challenge champion took to the track in the run-up to the legendary endurance race in the Australian state of New South Wales. In his record attempt, the 29-year-old beat the previous best time at the iconic circuit by 2.074 seconds and illustrated the impressive potential of the Mercedes-AMG GT3. The 6.2-litre V8 engine, aimed at maximum performance without an air restrictor, combined with the drag reduction system (DRS) derived from Formula 1, reached a top speed of 308.71 kph. This was achieved on the 1.916 kilometres long Conrod Straight. In addition to the carbon brake system, the optimised aerodynamics package with revised front apron, splitter, side skirts and rear diffuser proved its effect in the middle sector, characterised by fast corners.

The operational team initially sent out the modified Mercedes-AMG GT3 onto the race track for a shakedown on Friday to gather experience and validate the setup. During this first assessment of the car, the record at Mount Panorama Circuit was already broken. In a second session, Jules Gounon broke the record once more. On Saturday morning at 9:20 a.m. local time, the team took advantage of the ideal conditions with an air temperature of 21 degrees Celsius and an asphalt temperature of 30 degrees Celsius to set the new record time of 1m 56.605s minutes during the final run.