MERCEDES-BENZ GROUP AG - Jochen Übler
- Manager Mercedes-AMG Global Communications
- Tel: +49 7144 302-92470
Affalterbach. With huge ambition, massive commitment and an outstanding performance at the race tracks of this world, the Mercedes-AMG Customer Racing Teams and Drivers again have racked up numerous achievements in 2020 and 2021. At Mercedes-AMG, this is traditionally being honoured with the coveted trophy of the brand-internal Customer Racing Championship as well as exclusive prizes. As numerous races had to be cancelled due to the Covid pandemic last year and the drivers were limited in their race participations as a result, the classification time frame was extended to two seasons for the first time.
- Mercedes-AMG honours most successful Customer Racing Teams and Drivers of the past two years
- Valentin Pierburg and Jim Pla decorated in the DRIVER and PRO-DRIVER categories
- AKKA ASP the best team both with the Mercedes-AMG GT3 and with the GT4
Meanwhile, Mercedes-AMG has been honouring the most successful teams and drivers of the customer sports programme. With the so-called Mercedes-AMG Customer Racing Championship, the performance and sports car brand from Affalterbach intends to express its thanks for the outstanding representation of its cars in the various race series all over the world. This awards ceremony, always held within the framework of an official end-of-season celebration so far, sadly can't be held in this fashion in 2021 due to the current infection situation.
In total, the Championship has been split up into eight categories: DRIVER, PRO-DRIVER, DRIVER GT3, PRO-DRIVER GT3, DRIVER GT4, PRO-DRIVER GT4, TEAMS GT3 and TEAMS GT4. Eligible to participate are all customer teams and drivers who participated in races with a Mercedes-AMG GT3, GT4 or SLS AMG GT3 in the past two years. Performance Teams and Performance Drivers are excluded from taking part.
The laureates
The trophy in the DRIVER category goes to Valentin Pierburg (GER), who clearly beat the brand-internal competition. In 2021, the 34-year-old showed a consistently good performance with the Mercedes-AMG GT3 run by SPS automotive performance. His tally includes three class wins and numerous podium results, among others in the GT World Challenge Europe where he became runner-up in the Pro-Am standings. At the same time, Pierburg also wins the DRIVER GT3 title of the Mercedes-AMG Customer Racing Championship. As an appreciation, the Swiss-based driver receives high-quality leather products from AMG partner Santoni as well as the coveted main prize, a Mercedes-AMG C 63 Coupé (combined fuel consumption: 10.8 l/100 km | combined CO2 emission: 247 g/km*).
For his victory in the PRO-DRIVER category, Jim Pla (FRA) also receives a C 63 Coupé. The 29-year-old convinced in multiple race series and in 2021, he became runner-up in the Pro-Am class of the European GT4 Series as well as third in the Silver category of the GT World Challenge Europe Sprint Cup. His outstanding achievements with the Mercedes-AMG GT4 also secured him first place in the PRO-DRIVER GT4 category and a high-quality sim racing steering wheel from Italian AMG partner Cube Controls as a reward.
Jean-Luc Beaubelique (FRA), who is, among others, sharing the AKKA ASP Team's Mercedes-AMG GT4 with Pla in the European GT4 Series, also gets an accolade. As the winner of the DRIVER GT4 title, the 58-year-old receives a Cube Controls steering wheel, just like his compatriot and teammate. Russell Ward (USA), meanwhile, is being honoured as the winner in the PRO-DRIVER GT3 category, primarily having participated in American race series and, among others, having won the legendary 24-hour race at Daytona. For his performance, he is receiving a selection of fine leather products from AMG partner Santoni.
AKKA ASP won the trophies for the most successful TEAM GT3 and for the best TEAM GT4. The French squad secured runner-up spot in this year's GT World Challenge and won the title in the GT4 France Pro-Am class with the Mercedes-AMG GT4. In contrast to the honoured drivers, the teams are receiving generous sums of prize money for their exemplary representation of the brand.
The attractive non-cash prizes that are being given out as part of the internal customer sports trophy are coming from the following partners of Mercedes-AMG GmbH: BWT, Cube Controls, IWC, Puma, Santoni, SIMPLON, and UNGER WEINE.
This is how the winners were determined
As insufficient races were held in 2020 to determine the winners in a fair way, a classification time frame comprising two seasons was in place for the first time this year. As a rule, separate points are allocated for GT3 and GT4 cars. The basis are the results in single-race classifications achieved after 12th November 2019. Points are attributed following the usual system of 25-18-15-12-10-8-6-4-2-1. As additional factors, the total number of participations, the distance of the race involved as well as the level of the series are being taken into account.
Mercedes-AMG is spending 45,000 Euro to Laureus Sports for Good Foundation
Like in previous years, the race participation of Mercedes-AMG Motorsport's Performance Teams again ran under the "Passion for Good" banner in 2021. For every kilometre covered in racing, a donation of one Euro was made for the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation, committed to disadvantaged children and youngsters all over the world. As a result, an amount of 41,566 Euros was reached, rounded up by Mercedes-AMG to a total donation of 45,000 Euros. In 2022, the kilometres racked up will be logged in even greater detail.
Outlook on the 2022 AMG Customer Racing Championship
From next year, at least one further category will be added to the internal AMG Customer Racing Championship. As virtual motorsport is becoming increasingly significant, the most successful esports athletes will also be rewarded with attractive non-cash prizes during the end-of-season celebration in future. A classification will be in place for sim racers who have scored results with the Mercedes-AMG GT3 on the iRacing or Assetto Corsa Competizione platforms.
Christoph Sagemüller, head of Mercedes-AMG Motorsport: "Already having had to do without our end-of-season celebration last year, disappointment was huge as we again are unable to hold a physical event once more. Therefore, sincere thanks go out to all the partners of Mercedes-AMG who have remained loyal to us in these challenging times. Without their support, all this could not have been realised in this way. The provision of attractive non-cash prizes further enhances the prize-giving ceremony. We are particularly happy that a considerable amount has been raised for the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation again this year. This allowed us to pursue our passion for motorsport and at the same time do something good for disadvantaged children."
Stefan Wendl, head of Mercedes-AMG Customer Racing: "At Mercedes-AMG, the annual awards ceremony for the participants of our customer sports programme has become a tradition. And, of course, we are particularly happy to honour the achievements after two seasons for our Customer Racing Teams that have been so successful. Every single winner has more than deserved his prize, especially when considering the circumstances that sometimes were quite challenging this year. In this way, I would like to thank all teams and drivers for their outstanding achievements and I hope that it will be possible to do so again in person next year."
About BWT
Mercedes-AMG and Austrian water treatment company BWT have reached numerous achievements in the first year of their partnership right away. For instance, Maximilian Götz, driving for Mercedes-AMG Team HRT in BWT livery, was crowned DTM champion. For the Mercedes-AMG Customer Racing Championship, the company provided four sets of skis.
About Cube Controls
The Italian company ranks among the leading steering wheel suppliers in sim racing. For Cube Controls, it is particularly significant that manufacturing, verification and packaging of the products are done manually. The provided non-cash prizes also went through such an elaborate and exact manufacturing process. The winners in two categories are receiving a specially designed high-quality sim racing steering wheel in exclusive AMG design from Cube Controls.
About IWC Schaffhausen
For over 150 years, IWC Schaffhausen has been developing mechanical timepieces in the spirit of its founder, F.A. Jones. By bringing together the highest levels of craftsmanship and technology, he created pocket watches that have lasted for generations. The long-standing collaboration between the Swiss luxury watch manufacturer and Mercedes-AMG is based on shared values such as a passion for performance and design, as well as a commitment to engineering excellence down to the smallest detail. The latest product of the partnership is the Pilot's Watch Chronograph Edition "AMG". It will be presented to drivers Indy Dontje and Jean-Luc Beaubelique for their 3rd place in the AMG Championship.
About Puma
For the German sport apparel manufacturer and Mercedes-AMG, an exciting and successful first year of the joint partnership is coming to an end. Puma is not only globally known as a lifestyle brand, but is also producing quality motorsport wear. Over and over again, the drivers are excited about the high wearing comfort provided by Puma's racing underwear, shoes or suits. Accordingly, the manufacturer from Herzogenaurach provided two tailor-made race suits as well as four additional clothing items from its collection.
About Santoni
The history of the cooperation between the exclusive Italian label Santoni and Mercedes-AMG now goes back to 2005. Like the performance and sports car brand from Affalterbach, Santoni stands for luxury, design and perfect craftsmanship. This is also reflected in the specially created Santoni for AMG Collection. The long-term partner therefore sponsored the AMG Customer Racing Championship by offering different iconic products of the Santoni for AMG Collection.
About SIMPLON
For the Austrian premium brand from Hard am Bodensee, this was the first year as a partner of Mercedes-AMG. On its homepage, the manufacturer of hand-crafted high-performance bikes is offering over 100,000 possibilities for configuration of a new bicycle fully in line with personal preferences and imaginations. Two of the high-quality products from the SIMPLON manufacture are also part of the non-cash prizes for the brand-internal championship.
About UNGER WEINE
For over 25 years, cooperation partner UNGER WEINE has been one of the leading companies in the premium wine and rarity business with high-technology wine storage for the rarest vintages. This quality and performance claim is just one of many aspects the family-owned company and Mercedes-AMG have in common. As a result of the partnership, AMG clients regularly get to enjoy exclusive and individually selected one-offs and wine rarities during events. For two winners of the Mercedes-AMG Customer Racing Championship, UNGER WEINE is providing specially assembled wine presents.
Winner PRO-DRIVER overall standings
POS | Driver | Total points | Received prize |
1. | Jim Pla (FRA) | 1063,58 | Mercedes-AMG C 63 Coupé |
2. | Russell Ward (USA) | 1044,65 | Bike from the SIMPLON factory |
3. | Indy Dontje (NED) | 726,45 | Pilot's Watch Chronograph Edition "AMG" |
4. | Patrick Assenheimer (GER) | 661,37 | Tailored Puma racing overall |
5. | Thomas Drouet (FRA) | 639,26 | Wine gift from UNGER WEINE |
Winner DRIVER overall standings
POS | Driver | Total points | Received prize |
1. | Valentin Pierburg (GER) | 1049,85 | Mercedes-AMG C 63 Coupé |
2. | George Kurtz (USA) | 637,72 | Bike from the SIMPLON factory |
3. | Jean-Luc Beaubelique (FRA) | 613,50 | Pilot's Watch Chronograph Edition "AMG" |
4. | Florian Scholze (GER) | 570,85 | Tailored Puma racing overall |
5. | Togo Suganami (JPN) | 458,80 | Wine gift from UNGER WEINE |
Winner TEAM GT3 classification
POS | Team | Total points | Received prize |
1. | AKKA ASP Team | 1480,84 | Prize money |
2. | HTP-Winward | 1362,40 | Prize money |
3. | DXDT Racing | 1154,27 | Prize money |
4. | SPS automotive performance | 1089,81 | Prize money |
5. | Toksport WRT | 933,33 | Prize money |
Winner TEAM GT4 classification
POS | Team | Total points | Received prize |
1. | AKKA ASP Team | 1669,00 | Prize money |
2. | CD Sport | 819,50 | Prize money |
3. | NM Racing Team | 793,53 | Prize money |
4. | Selleslagh Racing Team | 783,87 | Prize money |
5. | HTP-Winward | 765,60 | Prize money |
Winner PRO-DRIVER GT3 classification
POS | Driver | Total points | Received prize |
1. | Russell Ward (USA) | 720,05 | High quality leather articles from Santoni |
2. | Patrick Assenheimer (GER) | 661,37 | BWT ski set |
3. | Ezequiel Perez Companc (ARG) | 632,03 | Puma racewear |
Winner DRIVER GT3 classification
POS | Driver | Total points | Received prize |
1. | Valentin Pierburg (GER) | 1049,85 | High quality leather articles from Santoni |
2. | George Kurtz (USA) | 637,72 | BWT ski set |
3. | Florian Scholze (GER) | 570,85 | Puma racewear |
Winner PRO-DRIVER GT4 classification
POS | Driver | Total points | Received prize |
1. | Jim Pla (FRA) | 613,50 |
Steering wheel from Cube Controls in |
2. | Marcel Marchewicz (GER) | 422,08 | BWT ski set |
3. | Lluc Ibañez (ESP) | 420,00 | Puma racewear |
Winner DRIVER GT4 classification
POS | Driver | Total points | Received prize |
1. | Jean-Luc Beaubelique (FRA) | 613,50 |
Steering wheel from Cube Controls in |
2. | Yudai Uchida (JPN) | 371,90 | BWT-Skiset |
3. | Kris Wilson (USA) | 321,00 | Puma racewear |
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Daimler AG published this content on 17 December 2021 and is solely responsible for the information contained therein. Distributed by Public, unedited and unaltered, on 17 December 2021 12:08:05 UTC.
