Black Falcon sets 2020 line-ups, signs Abril for Endurance assault

Black Falcon sets 2020 line-ups, signs Abril for Endurance assault

Black Falcon has confirmed its plans for the upcoming GT World Challenge Europe Powered by AWS season, which will see the German squad expand to two full-season cars. 

On the driver front, Vincent Abril will switch teams but remain in the Mercedes-AMG fold by joining Black Falcon as the third member of its lead Endurance Cup crew. The 25-year-old will link up with the established pairing of Luca Stolz and Maro Engel, who are set to once again contest the full GT World Challenge Europe season by adding a Sprint Cup programme to their long-distance outings. The crew will continue to campaign the #4 Mercedes-AMG this term, with a new livery and sponsor in AM Solutions.  

Abril takes the place of Yelmer Buurman, who has been part of Black Falcon's Endurance Cup programme each year since 2014. Buurman, Stolz and Engel captured the 2018 title and were contenders to defend their crown until the closing race of last season. The Dutchman's plans for 2020 are yet to be confirmed. 

2020 will represent a second season under the Mercedes-AMG umbrella for former Bentley factory driver Abril, who won three Sprint races last term with AKKA ASP. His only Endurance victory to date came at Circuit Paul Ricard in 2017. 

Black Falcon has also confirmed the line-up for its #5 Mercedes-AMG, which will contest a full season the Silver Cup class. At Endurance rounds, long-serving driver Hubert Haupt will be joined by Sergei Afanasiev and Patrick Assenheimer, both of whom also have experience in Black Falcon machinery. Finlay Hutchison will drive in the Sprint events with a to-be-confirmed teammate. 

The German squad is among the longest-serving in the paddock, having made its maiden appearence at the 2011 Total 24 Hours of Spa. Black Falcon will link up with the full GT World Challenge Europe field at next week's Circuit Paul Ricard test days (12-13 March).