Tigani Motorsport has confirmed New Zealand’s Brendon Leitch will join its star-studded line-up for the Lenovo Gulf 12 Hours at the Yas Marina Circuit on December 12-14.
Leitch will race the team’s Mercedes-AMG GT3 for the first time, adding the German marque to an impressive portfolio of experience. It will be the fifth different GT3 manufacturer Leitch has raced in, a list that includes BMW, Lamborghini, Porsche, Aston Martin, and Audi.
The Gulf 12 Hours takes place at the home of the Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix and is the most exclusive GT race in the region as an invite-only event. More than 15 teams are entered, including some of the best from Europe, Asia, and North America.
Leitch will join GT World Challenge Australia regulars Sergio Pires, Marcel Zalloua, and Mercedes-AMG Junior Driver Jayden Ojeda. The four-driver line-up will enter Pro-Am, giving them an outright shot at victory.
“I’m looking forward to joining Tigani Motorsport for the Gulf 12 Hours and having my first race with them in one of the biggest GT3 events in the Middle East,” said Leitch.
“I’ve driven a lot of GT3 cars over the last few years, but I’m extremely excited to get my hands on the Mercedes-AMG for the first time. It’s widely regarded as the benchmark in GT3 racing globally.
“When I raced in GT World Challenge Australia against Tigani Motorsport, they were one of the benchmark teams we always tried to beat. It’s good to know that I’m going to a team that has intricate knowledge of the car. Having seen their results, I know that they have what it takes to be competitive. With the line-up we’ve got, there are no doubts.
“I’ve got to thank Nathan Tigani and Matt Harvey for the opportunity. They were among some of the first people to rally around me after my close mate and GT World Challenge Australia co-driver Tim Miles died, and I’m grateful not only for their support personally but also professionally to have me in one of their cars.”
Tigani Motorsport is one of Australia’s largest GT-focused race teams. The Woollongong-based squad competes in GT World Challenge Australia and has experience across numerous manufacturers and one-make categories.
Tigani Motorsport’s eponymous team owner, Nathan Tigani, welcomed Leitch to the fold.
“We’re really looking forward to having Brendon as part of the Tigani line-up at the Gulf 12 Hours. He’s been one of the top Pro drivers to watch in GT World Challenge Australia, and we’ve seen enough to know he’ll fit right into the team and be quick straight away,” said Tigani.
“Alongside Sergio, Marcel, and Jayden, we’re pretty excited about our chances of going to Abu Dhabi and coming home with some trophies.”
Tigani Motorsport technical director Matt Harvey said he had been keeping a close eye on Leitch’s success in Europe before making the move to Australia.
“I’ve known Brendon since 2021, when I was at Herberth Motorsport and he was at Liepert Motorsport. I’d say hello at tracks like Spa and Portimao, where he would be consistently running at the front in Lamborghini Super Trofeo Europe,” said Harvey.
“That was enough to put him on my radar. After that, he actually ended up being a bit of a thorn in my side after he teamed up with Tim Miles in the Audi and made our life at Tigani Motorsport a bit harder,” he laughed.
“Now we’re beyond pleased to be teaming up with him and seeing what he can do in one of our Mercedes-AMG GT3 racers.”
More announcements on Leitch’s racing program for 2026 will be made in due course.
Header Image: Supplied
