Mercedes-AMG to debut in WEC in 2025 with Iron Lynx

The team will field a pair of AMG GT3s in the LMGT3 class, giving us our first chance to see a Mercedes at Le Mans since 1999. Lamborghini, which has previously supplied the Iron Lynx’s cars, is exiting the WEC. 

As a homologated entry, the Mercedes cars will carry torque-measuring drive shaft sensors – allowing the FIA to keep tabs on its performance – and complete wind tunnel tests to ensure compliance with the WEC’s stipulated performance window.

Italian veteran Claudio Schiavoni will drive the #60 car – he took one podium this year at the 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps and finished third in the 2023 European Le Mans Series. 

Former F3 champion Matteo Cressoni, who has raced in WEC since 2014, takes the reins of car #61, and his experience will be key to getting the new cars up to speed. The 2025 season will be his seventh start at the Le Mans 24 Hours.

Preparations begin with the FIA WEC Prologue from 21^st-22^nd February at Lusail International Circuit in Doha, ahead of the 1,812km of Qatar on 28^th February at the same track.

Christoph Sagemüller, Head of Mercedes’ Motorsports Division, said: “It’s no secret that we’ve been very keen for some time to come back to Le Mans. 

“The 2025 season with the FIA WEC entry is the right moment. The first FIA WEC season with LMGT3 cars has already been extremely interesting, and we want to bring even more excitement to the field in the future!

“Our successful Mercedes-AMG GT3 and the experienced Iron Lynx team is the right pairing to set another major milestone in our Customer Racing success story. I am already very much looking forward to the new season, and our ‘new start’ at the 24 Hours of Le Mans will certainly be a highlight.”

Stefan Wendl, Head of Mercedes-AMG Customer Racing, added: “I’m very happy that we were able to convince Iron Lynx of the enormous potential of our Customer Racing programme. 

“An intense cooperation over a short period has already delivered an FIA WEC entry. This is extremely positive news for Mercedes-AMG Customer Racing as a whole.”

Mercedes has a long history at the Circuit de la Sarthe, with Benz-powered cars taking outright victory in 1952 and 1989, and the homologation of Merc’s AMG GT3s means that customer teams now also have the chance to secure a place on the starting grid of the legendary French endurance race.

Driver images courtesy of Motorsport Images.