Iron Lynx Tests New Mercedes-AMG Machinery at Qatar 1812 km

Iron Lynx used the Qatar 1812 km to test their new Mercedes-AMG LMGTE machines, encountering challenges including technical difficulties that led to the retirement of both vehicles. Team principal Andrea Piccini and driver Maxime Martin expressed commitment to learning from the experience as they prepare for the next race at Imola.

Iron Lynx utilized the 2025 FIA World Endurance Championship season-opener, the Qatar 1812 km, as a testing opportunity for their new Mercedes-AMG machinery. The team encountered various challenges during their debut with two new Mercedes-AMG LMGT3s, using the 10-hour race predominantly as a test session. This occasion also marked Mercedes-AMG’s first foray into the FIA WEC, featuring new torque sensors that had previously been introduced to customer teams at the IMSA 24 Hours of Daytona.

In the third hour of racing, driver Christian Reid lost control of the 61 Mercedes-AMG due to technical issues, leading to the car being stranded in a gravel trap. The 61 eventually retired, while the yellow 60 Mercedes faced its own difficulties, necessitating a three-hour repair. Iron Lynx team principal and CEO Andrea Piccini acknowledged the challenges, stating, “We knew it was going to be a hard challenge, but we were hoping for something better.”

Mr. Piccini noted that despite the difficulties, they treated the latter part of the race as a valuable test and made significant improvements. He emphasized, “We must consider that not only was it our first time with Mercedes-AMG in FIA WEC…we will now be taking all the learnings and improvements into the next round of the year.” The team anticipates building on these early experiences in future races.

Maxime Martin, one of 61’s co-drivers, remarked on the learning curve presented at the Qatar race. He mentioned, “First race of the season, and first FIA WEC race for Mercedes-AMG here in Qatar. It was a big learning curve… Unfortunately, we had to retire the 61 car for a technical issue.” The team remains optimistic for their next event, the 6 Hours of Imola, scheduled for April 20, where they aim to achieve a more competitive performance.

Given the non-classification of the 60 and the retirement of the 61 for not completing the required distance, Iron Lynx is determined to enhance their performance in upcoming races and looks forward to demonstrating their advancement at Imola.

In summary, Iron Lynx’s experience at the Qatar 1812 km highlighted numerous challenges faced during their first race with the new Mercedes-AMG machinery. While technical issues hindered their performance, the team’s commitment to learning and improving is evident as they prepare for their next race. The collaboration with Mercedes-AMG during this initial outing will serve as a foundation for further developments and competitive outcomes going forward.

Original Source: www.motorsportweek.com