Maranello Motorsport has revealed that V8 Supercar drivers Craig Lowndes and Jamie Whincup will drive a 488 GT3 in the 2017 Liqui-Moly Bathurst 12 Hour. They will also be joined in the squad by a factory Ferrari GT driver.
Lowndes and Whincup represent two of the most accomplished drivers in Australian Motorsport, with more than 200 race wins, 9 championships and 10 Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000 victories between them in top-flight Supercars competition.
Lowndes joined Maranello Motorsport to win the 2014 Liqui-Moly Bathurst 12 Hour, while Whincup will make his Bathurst 12 Hour and GT racing debut at the 2017 event.
Triple Eight Race Engineering will provide support in the form of an engineer and additional staff.
“We’re very pleased to have secured about the best possible combination of drivers you could get together for our 2017 Bathurst campaign,” Maranello Motorsport team Principal Mark Coffey said.
“We wanted to be in a position to take advantage of the rules allowing all-professional driver line-ups for the first time and we feel like we have ticked that box.
“Craig and Jamie are two of the best Australian drivers of the last 20 years or more and also have an excellent track record of driving together in major endurance races. We are very pleased to have secured both of them and look forward to working with them both.
“Ferrari have an incredible stable of drivers across their GT programs and we are looking forward to working with the factory once again to represent the Prancing Horse brand on the Mountain.
“We have a comprehensive program in place to make sure the drivers and our entire team are ready for the race next February, including making sure Craig and Jamie get plenty of seat time before they get to Bathurst.”
Lowndes, who will seek his seventh Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000 victory this October, is keen to return to February’s Bathurst enduro in search of a second 12-hour crown.
“I am delighted to have the chance to defend my victory in the Bathurst 12 Hour of two years ago with Ferrari and Maranello again,” he said.
“Jamie and I have enjoyed a lot of success together at Bathurst, so it’ll be great to pair up again, and to have the engineering support of Triple Eight. I can’t wait.”
For six-time Supercars Champion Jamie Whincup, next February’s race will mark his Bathurst 12 Hour debut. He is looking forward to his first experience of a GT3 car at Mount Panorama.
It isn’t the first time he’s driven at Mount Panorama with Lowndes though, Whincup won the Bathurst 1000 alongside him in 2006, 2007 and 2008.
“The Bathurst 12 hour is an event I’ve been keeping an eye on for a few years now. I’ve been patient waiting for the right opportunity and feel I’ve found it with the Maranello/Triple Eight combination,” Whincup said.
“I’m excited to be teaming up with Craig again after more than six years and also look forward to learning to drive a left-hand drive, high downforce, turbo car fast.”
The 2017 Liqui-Moly Bathurst 12 Hour will be held across the 3-5 February weekend at Mount Panorama.
