Bathurst
Canadian driver Roman De Angelis tackled one of the most demanding endurance races in the world this past weekend, competing in the legendary Bathurst 12 Hour at Australia’s iconic Mount Panorama Circuit.
De Angelis joined Ian James and Eduardo “Dudu” Barrichello in the No. 27 Heart of Racing Mercedes-AMG GT3 Evo, competing in the highly competitive Bronze class against a stacked international GT3 field.
A Challenging Start at The Mountain
Mount Panorama’s 6.213-kilometre layout is renowned for its dramatic elevation changes, high-speed straights, and unforgiving mountain sector. The race began with immediate adversity, as early contact caused rear damage to the No. 27 Mercedes-AMG, forcing an unscheduled pit stop for repairs under caution.
Shortly after returning to the track, additional mechanical concerns required further time in pit lane, placing the team multiple laps behind the class leaders before the race had reached its midpoint.
Strategy, Discipline & Determination
Despite the setbacks, the Heart of Racing trio remained focused on executing a clean and consistent race. Through multiple safety car periods and evolving track conditions, De Angelis delivered composed stints behind the wheel — carefully managing tire wear and navigating traffic through the narrow confines of The Esses and The Dipper.
Strong pit work and disciplined execution allowed the team to gradually regain positions throughout the afternoon. As the sun began to set over Mount Panorama, the No. 27 entry continued its steady climb up the timing screens.
After twelve relentless hours of racing, the team crossed the line seventh in the Bronze class, completing 254 laps in one of the most gruelling endurance events on the global calendar.
Building Toward the 2026 Campaign
While the final result did not reflect the team’s outright pace, finishing the Bathurst 12 Hour is an accomplishment in itself. The experience gained at The Mountain provides valuable momentum as De Angelis continues his 2026 international endurance schedule.
