Mercedes-AMG has parted ways with its customer racing partner HWA, who played a key role in the development of all of its modern GT racing cars.
HWA has been closely associated with Mercedes since it was founded in 1998, thanks to a partnership which began with developing and racing its DTM cars. During a historic 19-year run, HWA won 11 drivers’ titles, before transitioning to Formula E as part of Mercedes’ factory effort in the all-electric series.
On the GT racing front, HWA developed and supported the marque’s first GT3 car, the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT3, which was first delivered to customers in 2011.
This partnership then continued with the Mercedes-AMG GT3, Mercedes-AMG GT4, Mercedes-AMG GT3 EVO and Mercedes-AMG GT2, alongside various track day specials.
To date, Mercedes-AMG race cars supported by HWA have twice won both the 24 Hours of Spa and 24 Hours of Nürburgring, triumphed at the Bathurst 12 Hours three times, and secured class honours at IMSA’s 24 Hours of Daytona, 12 Hours of Sebring and Petit Le Mans enduros.
On the championship front, titles have been achieved in all four global GT World Challenge series, as well as the Intercontinental GT Challenge, British GT, IMSA Sportscar Championship and FIA GT1 World Championship, just to name a few.
And on the streets of Macau, Mercedes has been truly dominant, with nine victories in the past 12 years, including a run of six wins in a row from 2019 to 2024, which was only ended by the brand’s absence from the FIA GT World Cup this year.
Mercedes-AMG’s GT products have also proven to be incredibly popular with customers, with the number of AMG GT3 EVOs sold now comfortably into triple figures. The car is often the most numerous on any GT3 grid globally, with this strength in numbers helping the marque to seven consecutive GT World Challenge manufacturers’ titles.
The end of the collaboration of HWA and Mercedes-AMG comes following the formation of Affalterbach Racing GmbH earlier this year, with this organisation expected to take on HWA’s former responsibilities, including the development of the brand’s next GT3 car.
“This collaboration has not simply accompanied customer motorsport, but has essentially defined it,” said HWA CEO Martin Marx.
“The trust that Mercedes-AMG has placed in us over many years has been the basis for building a programme of exceptional quality and global reputation. We would like to thank Mercedes-AMG for this time together – in particular for the entrepreneurial freedom to take on responsibility holistically and to further develop the programme in terms of both content and operations.”
Stay tuned for an exclusive interview with Mercedes-AMG management on DSC in the coming days.
Images courtesy of HWA
