Former champions, Audi Sport, has underlined its Intercontinental GT Challenge Powered by Pirelli commitment by naming a 15-strong factory driver roster for 2021.
The German manufacturer announced before Christmas that it would mount its sixth full-season assault on the global GT3 series this year by entering all four #IntGTC rounds: The Total 24 Hours of Spa, Suzuka 10 Hours, Indianapolis 8 Hour and Kyalami 9 Hour. But while it stopped short of naming specific Intercontinental crews, its pool of factory talent is now set.
All the usual suspects apart from Lamborghini-bound Mirko Bortolotti return along with new Audi Sport recruits Dennis Marschall and Charles Weerts. The latter became GT World Challenge Europe’s youngest-ever Sprint Cup champion last season while Marschall is rewarded for his ADAC GT Masters performances. Both contested #IntGTC’s season-closing Kyalami 9 Hour in December.
Elsewhere, 2020 #IntGTC regulars Markus Winkelhock, Dries Vanthoor, Kelvin van der Linde, Frederic Vervisch, Christopher Haase, Christopher Mies, Mattia Drudi and Patrik Niederhauser are also expected to feature along with Audi Sport stalwarts Frank Stippler, Pierre Kaffer and Rahel Frey.
DTM stars Rene Rast, Nico Mueller and Mike Rockenfeller complete the factory line-up.
“After a demanding 2020 season for global motorsport, we’re making a statement and committing early to a major international program in 2021,” said Head of Audi Sport customer racing, Chris Reinke. “The Intercontinental GT Challenge as the world’s most high-profile GT3 series is at the heart of this, just like the Nürburgring 24 Hours.”
International travel restrictions have prevented #IntGTC’s traditional Bathurst season opener from taking place this year. Instead, the campaign begins at the Total 24 Hours of Spa on July 31-August 1.