AMG GT3 Struts its Stuff During ‘Shakedown’ Test in Germany
Race driver Adam Christo gives the new AMG GT3 a wet-track hustle and shows us what’s new on the 2020 racer.
With AMG’s recent refresh of the AMG GT, it’s only natural that the hot-blooded coupe’s updates are shared by its race car cousin. Mercedes presence in racing has been successful with the AMG GT3 and racing driver Adam Christo has recently done a track test with the updated coupe. Visually, there’s a closer similarity to the road car, because production car components are utilized. Christo notes, “We’re now running the road car head lights as well as some additional lighting to brighten the way at tracks like Nurburgring and Spa where it’s pitch black.”
Adding credence to the AMG GT‘s success is that the changes to the 2020 racer aren’t overly dramatic. Christo points out, “the current car is a brilliant car so they have changed the styling and fine tuned any bits that they believe need updating.” Think of it like an AMG GT3 “Evo” then. The fact is, there is no need to re-invent the wheel when it is working just fine.
But, testing of the wheel must continue for improvements. Christo is at the Hockenheimring race track in Germany for these tests. The conditions are simultaneously not ideal, and perfect at the same time. “We’re on stone cold brand new wet tires. Pretty slippy. Super cold out. Beautiful sunny day but the track is a bit wet,” Christo explains. Thankfully, with the point-of-view video and step by step instructions, we get to ride along for some fun.
Rain driving is deceptive, even according to experts like RedBull Racing. As Christo points out, there’s a dedicated rain line on a race track which is usually not driven on in the dry. This technique is far more advanced than just driving gingerly and being careful on the throttle. Though the rain tires help the car from hydroplaning, the “rain line” and gritty surface of the un-used portions of the race track allow for more grip. The technique looks cumbersome and awkward, and requires driving “off-line” at times. As well, Christo talks about traction control settings that are adjustable on the fly for a race track with rapidly changing conditions.
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