VIDEO – Jules Gounon and Mercedes’ insane Bathurst lap record

On a Mercedes-AMG GT3 not approved for competition, the French driver exploded the old lap record by almost 3 seconds on the difficult Bathurst track!

Published on 17/02/2024 à 09:12

Medhi Casaurang

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VIDEO – Jules Gounon and Mercedes’ insane Bathurst lap record

Jules Gounon produced a perfect round. YouTube screenshot

A few hours before qualifying for the 12 Bathurst 2024 Hours (Australia) this Saturday February 17, Jules Gounon and Mercedes-AMG achieved a major performance. By taking only 1'56"6054 to complete the 6,213 km of the circuit Mount Panorama, the French driver and the German manufacturer exploded the old lap record by 3 seconds (1'59″2910) by Christopher Mies in 2018 on an Audi R8 LMS "extreme" version:

The car prepared for this record attempt is based on the Mercedes-AMG GT3 on which a tilting rear wing was installed as it was used in DTM according to the rules of class 1. A DRS system similar to that of the Formula 1 is also used. The braking system consists of carbon discs, also standard in Formula 1, while steel brake discs are mandatory under GT3 regulations. A slightly modified front section and adapted side skirts complete the aerodynamic modifications. The 6,2-liter naturally aspirated engine delivers around 650 hp.

Mercedes-AMG also shared the on-board camera from this performance. We can see the maximum speed reached by Jules Gounon at the entrance to “The Chase”, at 303 km/h. Before that, the outgoing Intercontinental GT Challenge champion (IGTC) negotiated “Skyline” at the switch and practically never pressed the brake pedal in the sequence of turns 5 to 10 on the hillside!

ALSO READ > 12 p.m. of Bathurst – Jules Gounon puts his victory on the line with SunEnergy1 Racing

Medhi Casaurang

Passionate about the history of motorsport across all disciplines, I learned to read thanks to AUTOhebdo. At least that's what my parents tell everyone when they see my name inside!

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1 Comment (s)

Yves-Henri RANDIER

17/02/2024 at 06:34 a.m.

A monument, a real circuit for those who really have it, well done!

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