Maxime Martin, Jules Gounon, Will Power at Daytona with Mercedes

Classic Mercedes for sale-AMG will be out in force for the season opener IMSA 2026. For the 64th 24 Hours of Daytona, held on January 24 and 25, the Affalterbach (Germany) brand will field five Mercedes-AMG GT3s divided between the GTD Pro and GTD categories, with a clear objective: to defend its title and seek a third consecutive victory after 2024 and 2025.

Four customer teams will represent Mercedes-AMG at the Florida track. Team 75 Express, led by Kenny Habul, will make its seventh start in the American endurance classic. Winward Racing, a regular competitor since 2021, will field two cars for the first time. Lone Star Racing returns for its third consecutive appearance, while GetSpeed, a strong fifth last year in its GTD Pro debut, makes its second appearance at Daytona.

The German brand is banking on a combination of experience and youth. Jason Hart, Maxime Martin, Scott Nobel, and Luca Stolz will share driving duties in the #48 Winward Racing Mercedes (GTD Pro); Lucas Auer, Indy Dontje, Philip Ellis, and Russell Ward will team up in the #57 of the same team (GTD); Anthony Bartone, Maximilian Goetz, Jules Gounon, and Fabian Schiller will partner up at Bartone Bros witg GetSpeed ​​(GTD Pro); and Maro Engel, Kenny Habul, Chaz Mostert, and Will Power will make their driver debut. IndyCar at Daytona, will be with 75 Express (GTD Pro); finally, Scott Andrewsm Ralf Aron, Lin Hodenius and James Roe Jr in the No. 80 (GTD).

« The 24 Hours of Daytona is an absolute highlight at the start of a new season, says Stefan Wendl. head of the Mercedes-AMG customer program. Our customer teams field strong crews in GTD Pro and GTD. We have demonstrated in recent years that the Mercedes-AMG GT3 is fully competitive at Daytona International Speedway. Our goal is clear: we want to fight for victory again in this 24-hour race and play a major role in the 2026 IMSA championship. The prospect of a 1-2-3 finish gives us extra motivation. »

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