Mercedes-AMG enters the WEC with Iron Lynx – returning to Le Mans after 26 years – making a Lamborghini exit highly likely
With a year’s delay, Mercedes-AMG has managed to enter the World Endurance Championship (WEC) – and with a spectacular team at that: Iron Lynx will compete in the WEC season of 2025 with the Mercedes-AMG LMGT3, which now almost certainly goes hand in hand with the already apparent withdrawal of Lamborghini from the WEC.
Mercedes-AMG had already hoped to get a slot in the LMGT3 category for 2024, but had to be the first manufacturer to cancel because the field was full with 37 cars. For 2025, it also looked for a long time as if there would be no room for Mercedes-AMG even if the number of slots was increased to 40, because Aston Martin is entering and several hypercar manufacturers have to bring a second car.
But then it became clear that Lamborghini would leave the WEC and a private hypercar Porsche would no longer be involved. Now there was enough space. Nevertheless, it is a last-minute entry, because in Macau, Stefan Wendl, Head of Mercedes-AMG Customer Racing, explained that they had not yet submitted an entry.
Now he says: “I would like to thank the ACO, the FIA and Iron Lynx for the targeted discussions. The WEC registration is extremely positive news for the entire Mercedes-AMG customer sports program.”
“With the homologation of the Mercedes-AMG GT3 for the LMGT3 class, all other customer sports teams now also have the opportunity to secure a starting place at the endurance classic in Le Mans.”
What he means by this is that the Mercedes-AMG GT3 is homologated with torque sensors. This was only a formality anyway, as these sensors are already mandatory in the GT3 classes of the IMSA SportsCar Championship 2025.
We are proud to continue our @FIAWEC and @24hoursoflemans journey as a @MercedesAMG Customer Team, and we cannot wait to see our new Mercedes-AMG LMGT3 race cars hit the track in 2025! WEC IronLynx pic.twitter.com/G99LJ8cSjn
— Iron Lynx (@IronLynx_) November 20, 2024
Christoph Sagemüller, Head of Mercedes-AMG Motorsport, adds: “It’s no secret that we have been keen to bring the brand with the star to Le Mans again for quite some time. With the 2025 season and our entry into the FIA WEC, the time has come – we are returning to the Sarthe after 26 years!”
“With our successful Mercedes-AMG GT3 and the experienced team Iron Lynx, we have put together a coherent package and set another milestone in the success story of our customer racing program.”
Iron Lynx continues in IMSA with Lamborghini
Iron Lynx will now be running two programs in 2025, as the Lamborghini SC63 will continue to compete in IMSA. This is not unusual in itself; Proton Competition, for example, is entering private Porsche 963s in the Hypercar/GTP class and Ford Mustangs in the LMGT3 class in 2024.
“We are very proud to welcome Mercedes-AMG as a partner,” says Iron Lynx team principal Andrea Piccini. ”They are not only a great brand, but also highly motivated, determined and hungry for success. With this strong support, I am confident that we will be competitive right from the start.”
“Endurance racing is rooted in our DNA and the WEC is definitely its pinnacle, so we are honored and excited to be back.”
According to unconfirmed rumors, Mercedes-AMG is also working on an LMDh project. Participation in the LMGT3 class of the WEC in 2025 at least makes such a commitment no less likely. Mercedes has avoided the Le Mans 24 Hours since the CLR accidents in 1999.
