This past week, Andy Meyrick tested the Mercedes AMG GT4 for the first time in Portimão.
February 20, 2018 –
What was it like to drive the Mercedes for the first time?
It’s always exciting to drive a new car. It’s always a little bit nerve-wrecking to know if you’ve got a good car at the beginning of the season, but the Mercedes fulfilled all the impressions I had of it. It was easy to drive, consistent, gave me a lot of good feedback. I think it’s a great step in the right direction for us as a team but also for GT4 and the way that the series and category is going.
How does it compare to the McLaren?
It’s somewhat similar to the McLaren. Biggest difference is the front engine whereas the McLaren was a mid-engine car. It handles differently on the corner entry but besides every car having its own individual feelings and quirks, I would say it is probably most similar to the Bentley which is also a front-engine car which is good as I’m used to that style of car and drive.
Stephen also loved the Mercedes. He got on with it very well. Loved the cockpit layout, the comfort of it and how easy it was to drive. It was great to see the smile on his face after his first drive and know that we’re going to go into the season with a car we both really enjoy driving.
How do you feel about the season now that testing has started?
Relieved! Happy that it’s started and the season looks like it’s going to be a busy one. I always look forward to being back out on track. The start of the year feels like the light at the end of the tunnel. The hours you put in keeping fit, on the sim, making sure you’re in good shape to start the year all become worth it when you get back behind the wheel.
What other testing is scheduled before the first race?
Stephen and I are back testing at the beginning of March at the official test day at Zolder in the McLaren as we won’t have received the Mercedes yet. The aim is to get some track time in, get the team back together, work on a few things that we’d like to be ready for when our new Mercedes arrives which we hope to be testing later that month prior to the first race on the 6-8th April.
As for the Michelin Le Mans Cup LMP3 program, Eric De Doncker and I are due to test at Spa at the end of March prior to the official test at Paul Ricard on April 11th with the Ligier JS P3
