GruppeM commits to 2022 Liqui-Moly Bathurst 12 Hour campaign

HONG KONG-based GruppeM Racing has become the first international team to commit to the 2022 Liqui-Moly Bathurst 12 Hour.

The Mercedes-AMG squad will continue their support for the Intercontinental GT Challenge (IGTC) and return to Mount Panorama in a bid to claim Australia's International Enduro in their third attempt.

GruppeM have risen to become one of Mercedes-AMGs most competitive teams, and in 2021 fielded a Mercedes-AMG GT3 entry in the prestigious DTM Championship alongside their endurance racing commitments. The squad has already announced an expansion to two cars for their 2022 DTM campaign.

GruppeM has been a perennial contender for 12-Hour honours since finishing third on their debut in 2019 with drivers Maximilian Buhk, Raffaele Marciello and Maximilian Gotz.

The trio started on pole position and were in contention throughout the day before ultimately grabbing a spot on the podium on their Bathurst debut – winning over the local fans with their instant competitiveness.

The team went one better in 2020, starting third but finishing second on the road behind the winning Bentley - though a 30-second post-race penalty for a pit stop infringement dropped Buhk, Marciello and Felipe Fraga to a still-strong sixth in the final classifications.

As well as claiming a Bathurst victory and success in DTM, GruppeM says they also want to challenge for the broader 2022 Intercontinental GT Challenge title as well - a series that commences on the Mountain next February.

"This will be our third attempt at Bathurst 12hr. We love the place," said GruppeM Team Owner Kenny Chen.

"The track is great, it always gives an exciting race and the Aussie fans always give tremendous support, so the atmosphere is fantastic.

"In 2019 we came 3rd, in 2020 we came 2nd on track but were given a 30 second post-race penalty. For 2022 we are going for the win!

"Furthermore, we are looking to take the whole IGTC title. For 2022 we are expanding, with IGTC complementing our DTM challenge. We are very happy to be working with Stephane, Benjamin and the SRO team once again for IGTC.

"We know that even with the hurdles that Covid19 creates, the great people at both Supercars and SRO will make Bathurst a huge success"

The 2022 Liqui-Moly Bathurst 12 Hour will be contested between 25-27 February 2022.