MANN-FILTER had an impressive 2023 motorsport season with exciting challenges and numerous highlights. In addition to its debut at the renowned DTM in Germany, the premium filtration brand also featured as a sponsor in the International GT Challenge as well as causing a stir at the Nürburgring Truck Grand Prix. In this feature, we look back on what was an eventful season for the company.
With the season finale of the Intercontinental GT Challenge at the Gulf 12 Hours in Abu Dhabi and the FIA GT World Cup in Macau, MANN-FILTER concluded another exciting motorsport season that had presented the team with a wide range of challenges.
One highlight of the year was undoubtedly the debut at the highly professional and internationally well-known DTM racing series. In collaboration with trusted partner Landgraf Motorsport and renowned Mercedes-AMG Performance driver Maro Engel (37, Germany), the MANN-FILTER Mamba became the fan favourite.
The debut season started promisingly. Maro Engel claimed the first victory in the third race at Zandvoort in the Netherlands. Hopes for the first half of the season were high, but the balance of performance (BoP) and some setbacks hit the team hard.
MANN-FILTER driver Maro Engel reflected, “There were some highs and lows this year. The win at Zandvoort was definitely a high! Unfortunately, however, we were also often hit hard by disappointment, especially with our double loss at the two Sachsenring races.
There are many things we could have done better or where we would simply have liked a second chance. We’ve learned a lot and will make sure we come back stronger next season and keep improving.”
Every year, the DTM attracts huge numbers of spectators to the race track, and the media presence due to the broadcast on Pro7, a German free-to-air TV service, also played a big part in the positive perception of MANN-FILTER’s involvement. On average, 350,000 viewers followed the races on television—this was a market share of 5.2 per cent.
Wide-ranging motorsport involvement in the IGTC and the Truck GP
In addition to focusing on the main program at the DTM, MANN-FILTER had a wide-ranging presence in other motorsport areas in 2023. The International GT Challenge (IGTC) presented the team with a number of challenges.
The premium filtration brand successfully used international events for its customer programs and boosted its media presence through the broadcasts shown on various local television stations and their viewing figures. MANN-FILTER and its partner GruppeM Racing made the series shine yellow and green online and offline with multiple pole positions and the race victory at the final race in Abu Dhabi.
The Truck Grand Prix at the Nürburgring attracted 130,000 spectators to the race track. The showdown of trucks with over 1,000 hp provided the ideal platform to showcase the commercial vehicle segment.
As in the other series, the rear of the Tankpool24 Racing Team from FAAS Motorsport, who used a Scania racing truck, was given the already established yellow-green design.
An incredible fan base in Macau and moving farewell moments
MANN-FILTER fans will probably remember last year’s final race weekend in particular. At the GT World Cup in Macau, the Mamba again took part with Raffaele Marciello at the wheel. That weekend was his last race as a Mercedes-AMG Performance driver.
Emotions were running high, and the many spectators on site, together with the farewell to ‘Lello’, caused many goosebumps.
“The race in Macau will always have a special place in my heart, and it was great to be able to experience this last moment together with Landgraf and MANN-FILTER. Both have had a significant influence on my career in recent years, and I have enjoyed many great moments. See you back on the race track!”
Raffaele Marciello won the ADAC GT Masters championship in 2022 together with MANN-FILTER and has claimed several race victories and podium positions in yellow and green in the past.
At the end of the season, MANN-FILTER sponsorship manager Filippina Manou summed it up by saying, “The 2023 motorsport season has come to an end. What a roller coaster of a ride! We had some great highlights, but we also had to put up with some setbacks.
We went through all the situations together as a team and have many stories to remember. A big thank you to all our fans and customers for their support throughout the season!
It was an honour for us! Seeing so many people cheering on our Mamba and filling the stands with yellow and green meant a lot to us. We love our fans and motorsport, with all its different aspects—with its highs and lows and moments that make us come together as a team.
We are already looking forward to the 2024 motorsport season and to everyone who will join us again!”
After an eventful year, MANN-FILTER concludes the 2023 motorsport year with many memories and looks to the future with full confidence. The global premium brand would like to thank everyone involved for their support and is looking forward to further exciting challenges in the upcoming season!
Read more motoring news and features here.