P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Iron Lynx and Mercedes are partnering up to enter the WEC LMGT3 class in 2025.
With Lamborghini announcing its withdrawal from both WEC classes, a vacancy has emerged in LMGT3. Mercedes had tried but failed to enter last year due to lacking a Hypercar effort, and had to team up with an established WEC team as per entry prerequisites. Iron Lynx has now provided Mercedes a partnership opportunity, having previously raced with Ferrari, then Porsche, and most recently, Lamborghini in 2024. However, the one-season partnership between Iron Lynx and Lamborghini has ended, leading to a new customer partnership for Iron Lynx with Mercedes-AMG GT3s entering the championship. The team will be led by Claudio Schiavoni and Matteo Cressoni, while the all-female Iron Dames team is expected to return with Porsche and partner with Manthey in the LMGT3 class next year. Iron Lynx’s CEO, Andrea Piccini, expressed pride in the new partnership with Mercedes-AMG, highlighting their determination and hunger for success in the FIA World Endurance Championship and 24 Hours of Le Mans. This collaboration marks a crucial moment for Mercedes, returning to Le Mans after more than two decades since 1999, when their infamous Mercedes CLRs had a history of flipping, notably Peter Dumbreck’s car tumbling off track between Mulsanne Corner and Indianapolis.