Mercedes-AMG Customer Racing has added Raffaele Marciello to its group of Performance Drivers joining seven other previously-appointed factory pilots.

The 23-year-old Italian was one of the standout stars of last year’s Total 24 Hours of Spa, finishing third in the No. 90 AKKA ASP Mercedes-AMG GT3 after driving for 14 hours of the race.

Marciello recently finished runner-up in the Liqui-Moly Bathurst 12 Hour, driving in the SunEnergy1 Racing Mercedes.

He joins Maximilian Buhk, Yelmer Buurman, Adam Christodoulou, Maximilian Goetz, Christian Hohenadel, Thomas Jaeger and Jan Seyffarth in the German manufacturer’s works lineup for the 2018 season.

In addition, Maro Engel, Bernd Schneider and Karl Wendlinger will serve as brand ambassadors.

The Mercedes-AMG drivers will support Black Falcon, HTP Motorsport, AKKA ASP, Strakka Racing, SunEnergy1 Racing, Riley Motorsports, Goodsmile Racing and GruppeM Racing in GT3 events across the world.

The manufacturer has put increased attention on the Intercontinental GT Challenge this year having already scored Pro and Pro-Am class podiums in the season-opener at Bathurst las month.

“Our current driver lineup perfectly suits the ambitions and activity schedules of the Mercedes-AMG Performance Teams,” said Stefan Wendl, head of Mercedes-AMG Customer Racing.

“We have a good mix of experience and talent that allows us to create very competitive driver teams, depending on the task at hand.

“Additionally, we plan to run some Nordschleife experts for the Nürburgring 24-hour race.

“As a new Performance Driver, Raffaele Marciello is a great addition as his first outing at Bathurst has already proven.

“He is in second place of the Intercontinental GT Challenge, in which we want to strengthen our attack this year.

“I am convinced that we will be able to battle for title success and race wins with our strong driver and team lineups here, just like in all the other series.”