Boutsen VDS will have its best shot yet at claiming an overall GT World Challenge Europe powered by AWS title this season after naming a full set of Mercedes-AMG factory drivers to share its flagship #9 entry.
The Belgian squad had already confirmed that Maxime Martin will spearhead its attack in both Sprint and Endurance. It has now revealred that Maximilian Götz and Mikael Grenier will join Martin for the long-distance races, while Luca Stolz will be his teammate in Sprint.
Götz (pictured below) is the only member of the #9 crew who continues from 2024. The vastly experienced German is a former overall winner at the 24 Hours of Spa and claimed the Sprint Cup title in 2014. Grenier adds further top-line experience: the Canadian has been a Mercedes-AMG works driver since 2023, before which he was a junior with the brand.
The crew of Martin-Götz-Grenier looks set to be a serious challenger in the Endurance Cup, which kicks off its five-round schedule at Circuit Paul Ricard on 11-13 April. The marquee CrowdStrike 24 Hours of Spa is scheduled for 25-29 June.
In the Sprint Cup, Stolz returns to the grid following a three-year absence. The 29-year-old has scored six wins in Sprint and only missed out on the 2019 title on a tie-break, finishing level with the FFF Lamborghini pairing of Andrea Caldarelli and Marco Mapelli.
The combination of Stolz and Martin should be a title threat, though the likes of AF Corse (Ferrari) and Rutronik (Porsche) have also named heavyweight pairings for 2025. The campaign begins at Brands Hatch on 3/4 May and concludes at Circuit Ricardo Tormo Valencia on 19-21 September.
Boutsen VDS has also named a strong Silver Cup programme for what it hopes will be its most successful season yet in GT World Challenge Europe. The team will be present at Circuit Paul Ricard next month for the official Prologue (10/11 March).