Craft-Bamboo Racing has confirmed a two-car Mercedes-AMG line-up for the 2026 Suzuka 1000km, with Intercontinental GT Challenge title contenders Luca Stolz and Maxime Martin heading the Hong Kong squad’s Pro entry.
The pair will share the No. 77 Mercedes-AMG with Japanese star Kakunoshin Ohta at the 11-13 September event. Meanwhile, 2025 Pro-Am winner Kevin Tse will return in the No. 28 alongside Daisuke Yamawaki and João Paulo ‘JP’ de Oliveira.
Both entries will also carry distinctive taxi-themed liveries, while the race could play a significant role in the IGTC championship battle as the series reaches its penultimate round.
Stolz and Martin continue IGTC title fight at Suzuka
Stolz and Martin arrive at Suzuka firmly involved in the IGTC title contest after a successful season that already includes victory at the ADAC Ravenol 24h Nürburgring in May.
Notably, Stolz sits second in the drivers’ standings, one point ahead of Martin and 17 points behind championship leader Maro Engel.
However, Engel will miss the Suzuka round because of his DTM commitments, creating an opportunity for both Stolz and Martin to reduce the deficit as the championship approaches its conclusion.
Stolz already knows the demands of the Japanese circuit, having contested the endurance event three times previously. His best result came in 2018, when he reached the Pro-Am podium.
“The Suzuka Circuit is a fantastic, fast and demanding track that is incredibly enjoyable to drive,” he said. “At the same time, the often high temperatures and humidity push both drivers and teams to their limits. I’ve competed in this endurance classic three times so far and my best result has been a podium finish in the Pro-Am class back in 2018. Together with Mercedes-AMG Team Craft-Bamboo Racing, I hope to change that this year and build on my recent IGTC performances at the Nürburgring and Spa.”
The combination of championship implications and Suzuka’s physical demands will therefore give Stolz and Martin another major challenge as they pursue Engel at the top of the standings.
Ohta brings strong home form to No. 77
Craft-Bamboo has added one of Japan’s leading domestic drivers to complete its Pro line-up.
Ohta already knows the No. 77 Mercedes-AMG after racing the car at the event 12 months ago, giving him valuable familiarity with both the machinery and the team’s approach.
The 27-year-old also arrives in outstanding form from Super Formula.
Four victories from eight starts have placed Ohta firmly at the head of the championship fight, while his experience of Suzuka and Japanese racing conditions adds another significant strength to Craft-Bamboo’s driver combination.
His inclusion means the No. 77 will combine Mercedes-AMG factory experience with extensive local knowledge as the team targets the front of the field.
Tse returns after 2025 Pro-Am success
Craft-Bamboo’s second entry will bring back one of the key figures from its successful 2025 Suzuka campaign.
Tse returns to the team after helping to secure the Pro-Am victory at last year’s Summer Endurance Race. However, the No. 28 will feature a revised driver combination this time around.
He will share the car with Yamawaki and de Oliveira, creating a line-up that brings together previous success at the event with considerable experience of Japanese motorsport.
Yamawaki won the 2024 Japan Cup championship and already has recent experience with Craft-Bamboo after joining the squad for the GT World Challenge Asia round at Fuji earlier this season.
De Oliveira, meanwhile, brings one of the strongest Japanese racing résumés on the grid.
De Oliveira adds extensive Japanese experience
The Brazilian has spent much of his career competing at the highest levels of Japanese motorsport and has collected major titles across both single-seater and GT competition.
De Oliveira has won two Super GT300 championships as well as the Super Formula title, giving Craft-Bamboo another driver with deep knowledge of Suzuka and the wider Japanese racing environment.
He also already knows the team after racing with Craft-Bamboo in GT World Challenge Asia powered by AWS during 2024.
That existing relationship should help him settle quickly into the No. 28 as he joins Tse and Yamawaki for the endurance contest.
“I’m excited to be joining Craft Bamboo Racing for the Suzuka 1000km,” said the Brazilian. “We have a strong package and a good opportunity ahead of us, so my focus will be helping the team and my teammates get the maximum out of the weekend and put ourselves in a position to fight for a strong result.”
De Oliveira’s experience adds further depth to an entry that already combines previous Suzuka success and Japan Cup pedigree.
Taxi-inspired liveries give both entries local identity
Craft-Bamboo will also give both Mercedes-AMGs a distinctive visual identity at Suzuka.
The No. 77 Pro entry will carry a yellow and green design that takes inspiration from the colour scheme once commonly associated with taxis in Tokyo.
Meanwhile, the No. 28 will feature a red and silver design that references Hong Kong taxis, linking the team’s home base with the Japanese setting for the event.
The paired liveries give Craft-Bamboo’s two entries a shared theme while distinguishing each car through references to two major Asian cities.
Suzuka offers major opportunity for Craft-Bamboo
Craft-Bamboo heads into the Suzuka 1000km with strength across both entries.
The No. 77 combines two Mercedes-AMG factory drivers fighting for the IGTC championship with one of Japan’s strongest domestic performers. Furthermore, Engel’s absence creates an important opportunity for Stolz and Martin to gain ground in the title race.
The No. 28 brings a different type of experience. Tse returns after winning the Pro-Am category last year, while Yamawaki and de Oliveira add extensive knowledge of Japanese GT racing and Suzuka.
With two experienced line-ups, strong local representation and distinctive taxi-themed liveries, Craft-Bamboo will carry both competitive and visual ambition into one of the most important remaining races of the IGTC season.
