The Shadow of 1999
Mercedes’ history at Le Mans includes triumphs and turbulence, but the latter left a distasteful mark that will never be forgotten.
Their last appearance in 1999 with the CLR prototype remains infamous for the wrong reasons. Aerodynamic instability sent Mark Webber airborne twice during practice and warm-up.
Then, during the race, Peter Dumbreck’s CLR flipped at 300 kph, launching into the trees. Miraculously unscathed, Dumbreck walked away, but it was enough for Mercedes to withdraw from endurance car racing for nearly two decades.
This time, Mercedes isn’t taking chances. The AMG GT3, with its stellar record in endurance racing, including victories at the 24 Hours of Spa and Nürburgring, is their chosen weapon.
Paired with Iron Lynx, a team with vast experience, Mercedes aims to make a triumphant return. Will it be like Ford in 2015? Will Mercedes return to sheer dominance? Here’s hoping—their Formula One programme isn’t exactly thriving at the moment!
Christoph Sagemüller, head of Mercedes-AMG Motorsport, stated optimistically that Le Mans has always been on their mind. The LMGT3 category offers the perfect opportunity to return, bringing a car and a team capable of great things.
The WEC’s LMGT3 category is fiercely competitive, with Ferrari, Porsche, and Aston Martin in the mix. Mercedes enters the grid not just to compete but to extend their legacy, one that this generation has long forgotten.
