Hubert Haupt launches team, Abril, Engel and Stolz to drive Mercedes-AMG entry

Hubert Haupt launches team, Abril, Engel and Stolz to drive Mercedes-AMG entry

Haupt Racing Team (HRT) will join the GT World Challenge Europe Powered by AWS grid this season with an all-star driver line-up in its Mercedes-AMG GT3. 

Long-time racer and successful real estate developer Hubert Haupt will lead the new squad, with the initial programme seeing one car entered in the Endurance Cup. Haupt has assembled a formidable line-up both on the circuit and behind the scenes, with the driver line-up featuring proven winners Vincent Abril, Maro Engel and Luca Stolz. The crew will also receive support from Mercedes-AMG at the Total 24 Hours of Spa.

This trio had been set to drive for Black Falcon this term before the German squad elected to step back from its GT3 commitments. Several key personnel have now joined HRT, with team principal Sean Paul Breslin, technical director Marvin Wagner and engineer Renaud Dufour all part of the squad. 

“I am really looking forward to the new challenge," commented Haupt, who has finished as Endurance Cup runner-up in the Silver class for the past two seasons. 

"Throughout my years in motorsport, I have always had this idea of setting up my own team. I know that this involves a lot of commitment and a huge responsibility. But with the future constellation and these top people at my side, I am convinced that establishing HRT is the right decision. 

"Especially now, in difficult times for sporting events, I also wanted to give a sign that things are continuing and that I am keeping my faith in the fascination of motorsport. I am convinced that, with HRT, we will find our place among the top teams in GT3 racing really soon.”

The team will debut at Imola, which kicks off the revised Endurance Cup schedule on 25-26 July.