Mercedes-AMG began the 2026 Intercontinental GT Challenge (IGTC) season in spectacular fashion, capturing a record-breaking fourth Meguiar’s Bathurst 12 Hours victory. The win marked a first Bathurst triumph for the GMR team and its drivers – Maxime Martin, Mikael Grenier, and Maro Engel – with Engel finally conquering Mount Panorama on his 10th attempt.
The GMR crew held off the High Class Racing Porsche, shared by Independent Cup winner Kerong Li and co-drivers Anders Fjordbach and Dorian Boccolacci, by just one second. Both the GMR Mercedes and High Class Porsche defied expectations, starting 29th and 30th, respectively, and outpacing a host of factory entries. The result also shattered the previous Bathurst record of 11th place for a winning start, set in 2020.
The race drew a record attendance of 55,231, while 13 cars finished on the lead lap, another milestone for the event. BMW rounded out the podium with WRT’s Raffaele Marciello, Augusto Farfus, and Valentino Rossi, leading home Jamec/MPC Audi and Team KRC BMW crews, while Absolute Racing’s Porsche completed the top six.
Late-race collisions decide the outcome of the 2026 IGTC Meguiar’s Bathurst 12 Hours
The decisive moment arrived with under 40 minutes remaining. Long-time leaders 75 Express and WRT’s #32 BMW collided, allowing GMR to take advantage. Earlier, the race had ebbed and flowed, with Craft-Bamboo, JMR’s #2 Corvette, and the #46 BMW each enjoying stints at the front. GMR itself had run first at the halfway point before dropping to third during a Safety Car period.
The final drama unfolded at Hell Corner. A collision between Kelvin van der Linde and Jules Gounon left both cars damaged and wide, giving Maxime Martin a clear run to the lead. From there, Martin maintained position until the chequered flag, with Boccolacci’s High Class Porsche remaining a close second.
Independent teams shine as manufacturers face setbacks
High Class Racing’s Bronze-class crew demonstrated the unpredictability of Mount Panorama. Li, Fjordbach, and Boccolacci not only won their category but also challenged factory teams, finishing just a second behind the GMR Mercedes. Similarly, 75 Express suffered damage during the late-race chaos, relegating Jules Gounon to seventh overall, though Kenny Habul secured second in the Independent Cup. Arise Racing’s Ferraris and EBM’s Porsche rounded out the top ten.
On the other hand, other IGTC manufacturers faced misfortune. Ford’s Intercontinental debut ended early when Chris Mies struck a kangaroo on Conrod Straight, forcing retirement. Chevrolet endured a mechanical failure at Skyline, eliminating Earl Bamber from contention despite running near the front. These incidents allowed Mercedes-AMG to extend its advantage in the manufacturers’ championship, now five points ahead of Porsche.
Mercedes-AMG sets the benchmark at Bathurst 12 Hours as the 2026 IGTC gets underway with exciting opening race
The 2026 Bathurst 12 Hour showcased the drama, skill, and unpredictability of endurance racing. Mercedes-AMG’s GMR crew delivered a tactical and resilient performance to take the win, while High Class Racing’s Bronze entry highlighted that grit and strategy can overcome grid position. With the IGTC season underway, Mercedes-AMG leads the manufacturers’ standings, setting a high bar for the next round at the ADAC Ravenol 24h Nürburgring.
