German manufacturer Mercedes-AMG will not be participating in this year's FIA GT World Cup in Macau (November 13-16, 2025). This marks the first time in several years that the most successful manufacturer in the history of the street circuit race on Guia Circuit will be absent.
In the participant list published on Monday, a total of 16 GT3 cars are registered – six fewer than last year. Mercedes-AMG, which was represented by five vehicles in 2024, has canceled its participation. Consequently, four-time Macau winner Maro Engel will also not be able to compete.
According to sources within the company, the decision is related to the torque sensors, which are mandatory for the first time this year and are already used in the WEC and IMSA series. The introduction of this technology represents a significant cost and resource outlay for customer teams.
The sensors are used to capture drive forces and are intended to make manipulations in the Balance of Performance (BoP) more difficult. According to industry information, a drive shaft with sensors costs around 40,000 euros. In addition, their use requires regular calibration and monitoring by engineers. The US manufacturer MagCanica currently supplies these systems exclusively.
According to Mercedes-AMG, they, along with their customer teams, have decided that the technical and financial effort required for participation in Macau this year is not sustainable. The bumpy track and the limited testing opportunities in the special administrative region are considered particularly challenging factors.
Other manufacturers face similar challenges. BMW, for example, will compete with the WRT and Rowe Racing teams, each fielding a BMW M4 GT3 Evo. While WRT already has experience with the sensors from the WEC, Rowe Racing is using the technology for the first time in a GT3 event outside of Europe.
In total, the 2025 FIA GT World Cup starting grid includes six brands. In addition to BMW, Porsche, Ferrari, Lamborghini, and Audi are also represented. Three former Macau winners, including Raffaele Marciello, Edoardo Mortara, and Laurens Vanthoor, are also on the entry list.