> Hong Kong team also reveals one-off Evisu 30th anniversary livery
Daniel Juncadella has switched to Craft-Bamboo Racing for Intercontinental GT Challenge Powered by Pirelli’s season closing Joburg Kyalami 9 Hour next weekend (December 2-4).
The Spaniard, one of five title contenders, joins fellow factory drivers Luca Stolz and Maro Engel who previously represented the Hong Kong squad at Indianapolis in October.
The apparent tactical switch leaves Mercedes-AMG with two drivers and cars in championship contention at Kyalami. Timur Boguslavskiy, whom Juncadella partnered in America, remains with AKKA ASP alongside Raffaele Marciello and new recruit Jules Gounon who makes way at Craft-Bamboo.
Boguslavskiy lies 15 points behind leaders Come Ledogar, Nicklas Nielsen and Alessandro Pier Guidi with 25 still available for victory, while Juncadella has no choice but to win in order to bridge his 19-point deficit.
“It’s going to be a great event. It’s my first experience with Craft-Bamboo Racing and also with Kyalami,” said Juncadella. “First time travelling to South Africa, new track, new team. You can still find new things at 30, that’s very motivating and very challenging for me. It’s also the last race of the season, so it’s also a special one because of that.
“It is a great combination to be working with Luca and Maro as well. I have worked with Luca in the past and I always enjoyed it. I know Maro very well, he is one of the biggest talents in the GT environment. I think the line-up is great and the team is great. I know a few guys in the team so it’s going to be a great event, I’m pretty sure. Can’t wait to be there and get it started. Hopefully we have a successful weekend, that’s what we’re going to aim for.”
Craft-Bamboo has also swapped its popular Mooneyes design, which debuted at Indy, for a one-off livery with reflective elements celebrating Evisu’s 30th anniversary. Another of the team’s long-time partners, Tarmac Works, will mark the occasion by producing limited edition 1:43 and 1:64 scale models.