THERE will be no V8 Supercar in the Ultimate Speed Comparison at this year’s Australian Grand Prix, with its place to be filled by the sinister looking Mercedes-AMG GT3.

The handicapped race traditionally pits a Formula 1 car and a V8 Supercar against a road-going production car around the Albert Park, Melbourne, circuit.

But for 2016, Mercedes will provide two of three cars – the AMG GT3 (above) and an AMG C63 S Estate (below).

Mercedes -AMG-Wagon

The F1 car’s slot will be filled by the V10-powered Minardi two seater, driven by Aussie motorsport mainstay Cameron McConville.

The announcement follows threats from V8 Supercars this week that it would quit the Australian Grand Prix in 2018 unless its races were permitted championship status by the AGP Corporation.

Merc -AMG-Track -front -racing

As many as four AMG GT3 cars are expected to race in this year’s Australian GT Championship, campaigned by the Erebus and Eggleston motorsport teams.

Merc -AMG-Track

And why did Merc choose a C63 S wagon, instead of a sedan to contest the race?

“We really wanted to get the message across that it’s a standard production car,” said Stamoulis. “In previous years when we’ve chosen sedans, fans have thought they’re racing cars.”