Mercedes confirms WEC GT3 program with Iron Lynx

Mercedes-AMG is set to join the FIA World Endurance Championship and return to the Le Mans 24 Hours for the first time in 26 years in 2025, with a two-car LMGT3 program for newly signed customer team Iron Lynx. The Italian team operated Lamborghini's Hypercar and LMGT3 programs with the SC63 and Huracan this season.

“It's no secret that we've been very keen for some time to bring the three-pointed star back to Le Mans," said Christoph Sagemüller, the head of Mercedes-AMG Motorsport. "The 2025 season with the FIA WEC entry is the right moment -- we are returning to the Sarthe after 26 years! Our successful Mercedes-AMG GT3 and the experienced Iron Lynx team is the right pairing and we have set another milestone in our Customer Racing success story.”

Iron Lynx will field two Mercedes-AMG GT3s in the LMGT3 class. In order to compete in the WEC for the first time with the car, Mercedes-AMG has begun the process of homologating its car for the young category.

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The Mercedes-AMG GT3 must fulfill LMGT3 homologation criteria to ensure it is eligible to compete. These include the use of driveshafts with torque sensors and the associated development work. Wind tunnel tests are also necessary to ensure compliance with the stipulated FIA WEC performance window.

This, in turn, opens up the door for other Mercedes-AMG customers from other championships to compete at Le Mans in the future via invitations earned from racing in the ELMS LMGT3 class or further afield in places like IMSA's GTD class (pictured, top) or GT World Challenge.

“I would like to thank ACO and the FIA for the focused discussions," said Stefan Wendl, head of Mercedes-AMG Customer Racing. "I am also very happy that we were able to convince Iron Lynx of the enormous potential of our Customer Racing program. An intense cooperation over a short period has already delivered an FIA WEC entry."

After taking delivery of the cars, Iron Lynx will begin the preparation and testing phase ahead of the traditional FIA WEC Prologue, which is scheduled for the Feb. 21-22 at Lusail International Circuit ahead of the Qatar 1812km season-opening race.