Iron Lynx completes LMGT3 line-up as Mercedes-AMG beasts break cover
The wraps have come off the pair of eagerly-anticipated Mercedes-AMG LMGT3 race cars to be run by Iron Lynx in the 2025 FIA World Endurance Championship, with the Italian outfit simultaneously finalising its driver line-up for the eight-round campaign.
Mercedes-AMG sent shockwaves through the sport last November when it announced its FIA WEC debut and a return – for the first time in more than two-and-a-half decades – to the 24 Hours of Le Mans, a race it won outright in 1952 and 1989.
To highlight the new relationship between the renowned German manufacturer and multiple FIA WEC podium-finisher Iron Lynx, the liveries adorning the two state-of-the-art cars will honour the proud legacy of both brands, with nods to historical colours and past successes.
On the driving front, partnering the already confirmed Claudio Schiavoni and Matteo Cressoni in the #60 entry will be compatriot Matteo Cairoli. While the former duo are set for their fifth consecutive campaign together in the series, Cairoli joined Iron Lynx for the 2024 finale in Bahrain, where he produced an impressive display as he helped the crew to finish a season-best fourth.
Despite being just 28, the Italian is an FIA WEC veteran and three times a race-winner in-class, placing second in the LMGTE Am standings in 2017 and counting eight Le Mans starts on his career résumé.
The sister #61 Mercedes will be piloted by Christian Ried, new Mercedes-AMG Performance Driver Maxime Martin and teenage prodigy Lin Hodenius. Ried will return to full-time competition after contesting just two FIA WEC events last year; the German has featured in every season since the championship’s inception back in 2012. Contrastingly, 18-year-old Dutch rising star Hodenius makes the switch from single-seaters, having most recently raced in Formula 4.
“We are very satisfied with how our driver line-up has shaped up, and for the positive collaboration that we have established with Mercedes-AMG,” commented Iron Lynx Team Principal and CEO, Andrea Piccini. “So far, we have really enjoyed working on the process and preparations for this new programme.
“On the one hand, we will continue with the experienced combination of Claudio Schiavoni and Matteo Cressoni, while adding Matteo Cairoli, who already competed with us last year. He is a really quick driver and has a wealth of FIA WEC experience.
“On the other hand, we will bring back the driver with the most starts in the series, Christian Ried, pairing him with a young racer entering his rookie season, Lin Hodenius. He was extremely impressive straightaway in testing and we selected him from all potential candidates despite his age and limited endurance racing background. Joining them, Maxime Martin will provide incredible value; in addition to being a long-time friend, he is one of the world’s strongest competitors in endurance racing.”
The action will get underway with the curtain-raising Qatar 1812km on 28 February, preceded by the traditional ‘Prologue’ group test at the same circuit on 21-22 February.
