Mercedes-AMG has reclaimed Mount Panorama glory. Team GMR’s #888 entry, driven by Maxime Martin, Maro Engel and Mikaël Grenier, won a chaotic Meguiar’s Bathurst 12 Hour 2026 in front of more than 55,000 fans.

Maxime took the chequered flag after 262 laps of the Mount Panorama Circuit – a particularly impressive feat given their 29th starting place – sealing victory by just 1.037 seconds in a tense sprint to the line.

The result capped a dramatic day which included high-speed wildlife strikes, fiery crashes and a lengthy red-flag stoppage.

Bathurst 12 Hour results: making history

From the Nürburgring 24 Hours to Spa and Le Mans, GT racing is revered for its blend of road-based supercars and relentless endurance. The Bathurst 12 Hour results once again demonstrated why the Australian classic stands among the world’s premier long-distance contests.

The 2026 event featured the largest grid since 2020, with 34 GT3 cars tackling the mountain’s steep gradients, blind crests and unforgiving concrete walls. A record 10 Mercedes-AMG GT3s started the race, reflecting the brand’s strong customer racing presence.

Early drama struck less than 20 minutes in when driver Christopher Mies hit a kangaroo at an estimated 250km/h on Conrod Straight. “Luckily, Mies is OK… I’m glad he’s OK, that’s the main thing,” says co-driver Dennis Olsen.

The race was later suspended for an hour, after a major collision between race leader Ralf Aron’s #77 Mercedes-AMG Team Craft-Bamboo Racing car and a Porsche at Forrest Elbow resulted in a fire. Both drivers escaped, though Ralf was taken to hospital for assessment. Another blaze involving James Golding added to the attrition.

Amid the chaos, the #888 Mercedes-AMG GT3 remained composed. The 6.2-litre twin-turbo V8-powered machine showcased the durability and braking stability that have become hallmarks of AMG’s GT race program.

It was a thrilling finish to the race, with the Mercedes-AMG Team GMR making history as the first team to win from a starting position of 29th on the grid. “I've been waiting a really long time for this victory… the Mercedes-AMG Team GMR gave it their all and the Mercedes-AMG GT3 also performed superbly,” says Maro.

“It was a tough race with a lot of strategy, numerous safety car phases and close battles,” says final driver, Maxime. “But at the end of the day, we're in first place. It's an incredible feeling.”

“Everyone involved did a great job,” adds Mikaël. “Perfect pit stops, no mistakes, the car crossed the finish line without a scratch – I'm really very proud.”

Strength in numbers at Mount Panorama circuit

Mercedes-AMG arrived at the Meguiar’s Bathurst 12 Hour with its largest contingent yet, fielding a record 10 Mercedes-AMG GT3 cars – more than any other manufacturer on the grid. This unprecedented entry included six Pro class runners alongside cars in Pro-Am and Bronze categories, highlighting the marque’s depth and commitment to endurance racing at the iconic Mount Panorama circuit.

The effort brought together a blend of seasoned international talent and Australia’s top racers, from Supercars stars to rising GT contenders, underscoring Mercedes-AMG’s strategy of strength in numbers as it successfully targeted a fourth overall Bathurst victory.

Among the line-ups competing were seasoned campaigners such as the 75 Express entry with Jules Gounon, Kenny Habul and Luca Stolz, and the Scott Taylor Motorsport crew featuring Chaz Mostert, Thomas Randle and Cam Waters. The Tigani Motorsport Pro car mixed local and international firepower with Philip Ellis, Jayden Ojeda and Fabian Schiller, while Grove Racing’s Mercedes-AMG GT3 effort paired GT specialist Will Davison with debut driver Kai Allen and Brenton Grove. In the Bronze ranks, young talent including Supercars rookie Zach Bates lined up alongside experienced hands.

Indeed, it was another classic – if not controversial – edition of the race. For Mercedes-AMG and Team GMR, however, it was the bright red #888 that conquered the mountain – a triumph built on precision, resilience and world-class teamwork.