Mercedes-AMG squad Craft-Bamboo Racing has been forced to downsize to a single-car programme for the start of the 2026 GT World Challenge Asia season, following the team’s accident at February’s Bathurst 12 Hour.
The 2023 drivers’ championship-winning squad had been planning another two-car assault, but the wait for a replacement chassis to the one lost in Ralf Aron’s accident at Bathurst means that the second car is not set to appear until the later rounds of this year.
In the meantime, the team will focus on its ROWE-backed #77 AMG GT3 EVO, in which ‘Alex’ Liang Jiatong has been confirmed as the first driver.
Liang joined Craft-Bamboo Racing in 2023, and made the step into GT World Challenge Asia last season, finishing second in the Silver drivers’ championship with three race victories, including a clean sweep of the Beijing season finale.
“We are delighted to welcome Alex back for another GT World Challenge Asia powered by AWS season with Craft Bamboo Racing. Last year’s results give us plenty of momentum, and we are committed to taking another step forward in performance for 2026 while helping Alex to achieve his targets as a driver,” said Team Principal Darryl O’Young.
“It has been a devastating blow to not begin our GT World Challenge Asia season with the two-car program we had planned after the crash in Bathurst. Despite the disappointment, the team has rallied together, and we are looking forward to putting our best foot forward with the #77 while we work to get a second car back on track as soon as possible.”
The 2026 GT World Challenge Asia season begins at the Sepang International Circuit, Malaysia on 4th to 5th April 2026.
Image courtesy of Craft-Bamboo Racing
