Ten years after one of the most controversial finishes in Nürburgring 24 Hours history, Maro Engel and Christian Hohenadel finally celebrated together at the Nordschleife. The German driver secured victory in the 2026 ADAC RAVENOL Nürburgring 24 Hours aboard the #80 Mercedes-AMG Team Ravenol Mercedes-AMG GT3 and afterwards revealed the emotional promise he had made to his former rival, who is now Winward Racing’s team principal.

Back in 2016, Engel overtook Hohenadel on the final lap of the race after contact between the two Mercedes-AMG GT3s. Engel went on to claim victory, while Hohenadel was left heartbroken after appearing set to win for HTP Motorsport.

Ten years on from that dramatic clash, the pair returned to the top step together, with Winward Racing having evolved from the former HTP Motorsport team now led by Hohenadel.

From Last-Lap Rivals To Nürburgring Winners Together

“That was one of the most special things and something we set out together when we talked about this project, Mercedes-AMG Team Ravenol running here at the Nürburgring and operated by Winward,” Engel told GT REPORT after the race on combining forces with Hohenadel.

“I promised him that I would do everything in my hands to take this win together with him.

“I’m just so proud and happy that we can share this win.”

Engel even joked afterwards about how stressful the race must have been for Hohenadel from the pit wall compared to driving himself, especially with both Winward Racing Mercedes-AMGs fighting for the lead through the night and morning.

“I joked to him and said probably this one was harder for him than 2016 because it’s easier to drive the car than to run a team,” Engel laughed.

“He obviously had to have the overview of the global picture of both cars, and both cars were very close together and were going a little bit back and forth. I think it was probably more stressful for him and for the team than it was for us drivers.

“I can’t thank him and everyone in the team enough for the amazing work they did, especially after my mistake on Friday.”

Christian Hohenadel

Christian Hohenadel

“I Was Smiling In The Car”

When asked about the battle at the front during the night, Engel admitted he was enjoying himself despite a few close moments in traffic while fighting the sister Winward Mercedes-AMG.

“I mean I was smiling in the car when we were driving and I just had a lot of fun and yeah it was great,” Engel said about the back-and-forth with Max Verstappen. “There was one little situation where it was a little bit tight with some lap traffic and so on, but it was fine, it was okay.”

With light drizzle returning in the closing stages and Mercedes-AMG on course for its first Nürburgring 24 Hours victory in ten years, Engel said his focus shifted entirely towards managing the car safely through the final laps rather than thinking about the result itself.

“No, just trying to put the car under the least amount of stress, take no risk, make my way through traffic with the drizzle everywhere and some wet patches and so on,” Engel explained when asked what was going through his mind before the chequered flag.

“So just making sure to bring the car home safely and reward the team for all their hard work and Mercedes-AMG Motorsport. We’ve been trying to win this race again since ten years and many of the same people are still on board from back then, so it’s just a great feeling to finally have ended this wait and take this win again.”