TGR StaffAt the 2025 Motul Petit Le Mans, Winward Racing and Mercedes-AMG Motorsport made history, again. The No. 57 Mercedes-AMG GT3 rolled across the finish line at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta, clinching back-to-back IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship GT Daytona (GTD) titles and cementing Mercedes-AMG’s status as a powerhouse in endurance racing.
Championship Sealed Before Lap One
For Winward Racing, the celebration began almost immediately. With three GTD victories already on the season, co-drivers Russell Ward and Philip Ellis arrived at Petit Le Mans holding a comfortable points lead. After Ellis put the Mercedes-AMG GT3 fifth on the grid in qualifying, the math was simple: finish 18th or better in the 19-car GTD field to repeat as champions.
Then, on the very first lap, chaos struck. A multi-car crash in the esses sidelined several GTD competitors before the race even properly began, guaranteeing Winward’s championship before a single green-flag lap was complete. From there, it was a matter of execution and keeping the sleek silver Mercedes-AMG GT3 out of trouble.
Ten Hours of Precision
Joined by endurance regular Indy Dontje, the Winward trio settled into a steady rhythm, focusing on consistency over outright aggression. While the Mercedes-AMG GT3 led only a handful of laps, it remained in the top five for most of the 10-hour endurance marathon.
Ward handled the opening stints, keeping the car clear of traffic, while Dontje and Ellis brought it home under the Georgia night. The fifth-place finish was more than enough to secure a sweep of the IMSA GTD team, driver, and manufacturer championships, for the second consecutive year.
Ward and Ellis ended the season 189 points ahead of their closest rivals, while Mercedes-AMG took its second-straight manufacturer title by 39 points.
Strength in Numbers: The Mercedes-AMG GT3 Customer Network
The title defense wasn’t achieved alone. Lone Star Racing added valuable manufacturer points during the Indianapolis round when Lin Hodenius, Scott Andrews, and Wyatt Brichacek qualified their No. 80 Mercedes-AMG GT3 third in class, a key result that ultimately helped secure the manufacturer crown at Petit Le Mans.
That collaborative customer-team structure is part of what has made Mercedes-AMG GT3 such a force in IMSA competition. The car’s blend of reliability, balanced handling, and raw power has made it a favorite among privateer teams looking to fight for wins against factory-backed rivals.
A Season of Momentum
The 2025 campaign began with a statement at Sebring, where Winward took its first win of the year. Another triumph followed at Laguna Seca, establishing a dominant championship lead early in the season. Even a mid-year setback at Watkins Glen, where contact forced the team to rally from behind, couldn’t derail the momentum.
By Canadian Tire Motorsport Park, the team was back on the podium, and the Mercedes-AMG GT3 continued to prove its consistency. Wins at VIR and a strong showing at Indianapolis carried Winward into Petit Le Mans with the championship nearly sealed.
Ward and Ellis became the first drivers since Mario Farnbacher (2019-2020) to claim consecutive GTD championships. Both were behind the wheel of the Mercedes-AMG GT3, a car that has earned a reputation for delivering when it matters most.
A Night to Celebrate
Following the race, the team headed to the IMSA WeatherTech Night of Champions Awards at Château Élan Winery & Resort, where Winward Racing and Mercedes-AMG Motorsport officially received their season honors.
For Mercedes-AMG, the weekend wasn’t just another title, it was a validation of a philosophy built on precision, endurance, and engineering excellence. The Mercedes-AMG GT3 has become synonymous with success, and as the brand looks toward 2026, it shows no sign of slowing down.
Photos Courtesy of Mercedes-AMG
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