Mercedes-AMG Revolutionises Motorsport with Strategic Reorganisation and New Affalterbach Racing Subsidiary
Mercedes-AMG has revolutionised its motorsport division with strategic innovations to align with future goals. The performance and sports car brand of Mercedes-Benz established a new subsidiary, Affalterbach Racing GmbH. This entity will drive all conceptual and technical customer sports endeavours for AMG, including developing the new Mercedes-AMG GT3. Additionally, Mercedes-AMG GmbH aims to acquire a segment of its longstanding partner, HWA AG, following signing a letter of intent.
This reorganisation underscores AMG's renewed dedication to GT Sport. Motorsport forms a core part of Mercedes-AMG's essence, with this expertise permeating all departments. Affalterbach Racing GmbH will now utilise this specialised knowledge to focus on future project conception and development, quickly generating synergy with various AMG road vehicle development areas and facilitating more profound technological exchanges.
The initiative to merge extensive technical expertise will first materialise in developing the Mercedes-AMG GT3's successor. This new concept will extend the triumphant narrative of AMG's international Customer Racing Programme.
The upcoming "Made in Affalterbach" GT3 race car, a derivative of the Mercedes-AMG GT family, builds on the lineage established by the second-generation AMG GT launched in 2023. The expanding sports car family recently added its fifth member, the Mercedes-AMG GT 63 PRO 4MATIC+, which debuted globally in Brooklands, England.
Affalterbach Racing GmbH, headquartered in Affalterbach, will closely coordinate with the Mercedes-AMG Motorsport team, which remains integral to managing international motorsport activities.
Additionally, the formation of the new company is part of a broader strategy that includes intense negotiations with HWA AG to take over its customer motorsport division. Both parties have signed a non-binding term sheet and are currently in the approval stage. This integration aims to elevate the standard of Mercedes-AMG Customer Racing by centralising development expertise and enhancing international customer support and spare parts services across Europe, the U.S., China, and Australia.
HWA AG will persist with its other ventures, such as the HWA EVO project, independently developing, building, and selling the reimagined iconic Mercedes-Benz 190 E 2.5-16 Evolution II.
Michael Schiebe, Chairman of the Board of Management of Mercedes-AMG GmbH, expressed enthusiasm for the new strategic direction. "Motorsport is ingrained in Mercedes-AMG's DNA, particularly GT Sport, where we have thrived for years. Looking ahead, we aim not only to continue this success but also to enhance it. The establishment of Affalterbach Racing GmbH allows us to deploy our in-house expertise more effectively and swiftly adapt to future challenges."
Christoph Sagemüller, Head of Mercedes-AMG Motorsport, reaffirmed the long-term commitment to customer racing. "The creation of Affalterbach Racing GmbH is a significant step in expanding our highly successful global GT customer sport programme. Initially, the new entity will focus on developing the next GT3 racing car, ensuring we continue to provide our international customers with a competitive, reliable, and winning vehicle."
