A pair of Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe Powered by AWS drivers and one of the series' most established teams have been recognised for their success in the 2020-2021 Mercedes-AMG Customer Racing Championship.
The German brand awards points in a variety of internal classifications, which are open to teams and drivers using its machinery around the world. To place the emphasis on customer racing, Performance Teams and Drivers are excluded from taking part. As opportunies to compete have been limited by health and travel restrictions, the classification timeframe was extended to two seasons for the first time.
Valentin Pierburg earned top spot in both the DRIVER and DRIVER GT3 categories following an especially strong 2021 campaign. Competing for SPS automotive performance, the 34-year-old scored three class wins and finished as runner-up in the Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe Powered by AWS Pro-Am standings. In recognition of his achievements, Pierburg has been awarded a Mercedes-AMG C 63 Coupé and high-quality leather products from AMG partner Santoni.
In the PRO-DRIVER category, Jim Pla took the top prize for his combined efforts in Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe Powered by AWS, the GT4 European Series and Championnat de France FFSA GT. The Frenchman also topped the PRO-DRIVER GT4 category, ensuring that he won both the C 63 Coupé and a high-quality sim racing steering wheel from Italian AMG partner Cube Controls as a reward.
AKKA ASP pulled off a double by winning both the GT3 and GT4 TEAM titles. The French squad earned multiple race wins in 2021, including a superb triumph in the season-closing Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe Powered by AWS Round at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya.
More information on the Mercedes-AMG Customer Racing Championship and a full list of winners can be found here.