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| · 2013 Formula One F1 Driver Line-up, Rumor Round-up & 2014 Silly Season Rumors - February 10th (Feb 10, 2013)
· 2013 Formula One F1 Driver Line-up, Rumor Round-up & 2014 Silly Season Rumors - February 9th (Feb 9, 2013)
· 2013 Jerez: Formula One F1 Friday Test Results - Raikkonen, Lotus Fastest! (Feb 8, 2013)
· 2013 Jerez: Formula One F1 Thursday Test Results - Massa, Ferrari Fastest! (Feb 7, 2013)
· 2013 Jerez: Formula One (F1) Wednesday Test Results - Grosjean, Lotus Fastest! (Feb 6, 2013)
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Victory For The Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT3 In Bathurst 12-Hour Race
The Erebus Motorsport GT team put on an impressive display with its pair of Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT3 cars in the Bathurst 12-hour race. Having started sixth, German drivers Thomas Jäger (GER), Bernd Schneider (GER) and Alexander Roloff (GER) secured victory for the Australian racing team, competing with the SLS AMG GT3 with starting number 36. The sister car with number 63, driven by Tim Slade (AUS), Lee Holdsworth (AUS) and Peter Hackett (AUS) showed an equal performance. However, the gullwing competition car dropped back from second place following a collision in the closing stages of the race and eventually was classified sixth.
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From the very beginning, spectators along the 6.213 kilometres long Mount Panorama Circuit got to see a high-class race, in which the two SLS AMG GT3 cars dominantly led the field of the 50 participating cars for long stages. Only 90 minutes before the end, heavy downpours mixed up positions. For instance, the SLS AMG GT3 with starting number 63 that had started from pole position had to turn into the pits for a 15 minutes’ repair following a collision and thus lost its second place. Back on track, Peter Hackett, who took the final turn behind the wheel, was still able to bring sixth place home.
Out in front, a thrilling tyre gamble emerged once the track dried out and rain set in again during the final hour. Final driver Alexander Roloff, who came in for another set of rain tyres while leading the race with 15 minutes remaining, showed his mental strength and defended his one-lap lead until the chequered flag was out. Thus, together with Thomas Jäger and Bernd Schneider, who both raced as members of AMG Customer Sports drivers’ support programme, Roloff secured the maiden victory for an SLS AMG GT3 in the prestigious Bathurst 12-hour race.
Alexander Roloff: “Being the final driver with the leading car is an honour, but also a great responsibility. However, more than anything else, today’s final stint in changeable conditions was hard work. Similarly to the Nürburgring-Nordschleife, it can be dry in one part and entirely wet only two corners later. Therefore, I am all the more happy to have brought victory home.”
Bernd Schneider: “I am overjoyed, this is a great success for all of us. The Mount Panorama Circuit is extremely demanding and doesn’t pardon any mistakes. However, our strategy totally worked out: at the end, we were able to concentrate on defending our lead and didn’t have to attack anymore. Alexander did a great job.”
Thomas Jäger: “Thanks to the entire Erebus Motorsport GT team. Co-operation prior to the race and during the event was really outstanding. Next to the speed, the consistency and reliability of the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT3 once again was the key to our success.”
Ryan Maddison, CEO Erebus Motorsport GT: “Having finished second here last year, we were now really determined to win. Thanks to a great team performance, we managed to do so. Of course, missing out on the 1-2 that was on the cards for such a long time is slightly disappointing. Both cars had the potential and the performance to win the race. Thanks to the entire team and, of course, to Mercedes-AMG for the support.”
Ola Källenius, chairman of the board, Mercedes-AMG GmbH: “This is a great day for the Erebus Motorsport GT team and for our AMG Customer Sports programme. My sincere congratulations! After victory in the Dubai 24 Hours, this is already the second victory for an AMG Customer team this year – a promising start into a great 2013 motorsport season.”
Uli Fritz, head of AMG Customer Sports: “Congratulations to the winning Erebus Motorsport GT team. Everyone involved has shown an incredible effort to achieve this maiden victory in the Bathurst 12-hour race. A victory that would have been well-deserved by both cars, because the Australian drivers’ crew also harmonised perfectly and played its role in the outcome of the race, too.”
PaddockTalk Perspective
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