Bathurst rocked by massive crash for Mercedes of Steven Grove

The driver of this Mercedes was lucky to escape serious injuries after flying through the air at 200km/h.

Sunday’s Bathurst 12 Hour was rocked by a sickening crash that came perilously close to sending Mercedes driver Steven Grove over the circuit’s walls, and into the bush.

Supercars team owner Steven Grove was at the wheel of his black Mercedes-AMG GT3 when fellow Mercedes racer Kenny Habul attempted a pass on Brock’s Skyline.

You can watch the incident in the video player above.

Stephen Grove crashes during the Bathurst 12 Hour at Mount Panorama on February 02, 2025 in Bathurst, Australia. Photo: by Daniel Kalisz/Getty Images

The cars collided, sending Grove’s car into the wall at about 200km/h.

Grove’s Mercedes rode up the wall and soared through the air before crashing back to earth, destroyed.

The driver gasped for breath following the smash, but was not significantly injured.

Race commentator Richard Craill said the incident represented a lucky escape.

“That’s as near as a car has gone to going over the wall there that has ever happened,” he said.

Habul, a two-time winner of the race, scraped by with minor damage to his car.

Credit to Billy Boye on FB for this insane footage of Stephen Grove’s big crash on The Mountain. #B12Hr#Bathurst@RSL_Studio@[e-mail]/9UG3blNakI

— Jake Michael Thompson (@JMThompson95) February 1, 2025

MORE DRAMA AT SKYLINE 💥#B12Hrpic.twitter.com/pQDDaaVDIh

— Bathurst 12 Hour (@Bathurst12hour) February 1, 2025

Grove’s team published a statement following the smash.

“After an incident with another competitor earlier this morning, Stephen has been taken to Orange hospital to undergo further scans.

“Initial tests have revealed damage to his back, however until subsequent tests and consultation with Westmead Hospital in Sydney has taken place we’re unsure of the full extent of his injury.

“We want to thank all of our fans and loyal supporters for the outpouring of love the team has received.

“Steve is in good spirits and looks forward to getting back to the track again.”

Drivers put on a sensational show for the opening laps, with the Audi of Supercars star Broc Feeney sandwiched between the Mercedes GT3s of Maro Engel and Maxi Gotz on the first run up Mountain Straight.

The first hours of the race saw the all-star Australian line-up of Craig Lowndes, Cam Waters and Thomas Randle rubbed out of contention when Lowndes tagged the wall near The Dipper.

Lowndes took blame for the incident, putting it down to “driver error”.

Valentino Rossi drives the #46 Team WRT BMW M4 GT3 during the Bathurst 12 Hour at Mount Panorama. Photo: Daniel Kalisz/Getty Images

BMW was in the box seat after five hours of racing, with the number 46 BMW M4 of Valentino Rossi, Raffale Marciello and Charles Weerts leading the sister car of Augusto Farfus and South African brothers Kelvin and Sheldon Van der Linde.

Mercedes contenders piloted by polesitter Lucas Auer, Mikael Grenier and Jules Gounon were third, fourth, and fifth ahead of the Aston Martin of Jamie Day.

Star efforts including the Porsche of Australia’s Matt Campbell, the Ferrari shared by Supercars stars Chaz Mostert and Will Brown, and Feeney’s Audi remain in contention for the win with seven hours to run.

Mercedes remains in the mix at Bathurst. Photo: Daniel Kalisz/Getty Images

Originally published as Bathurst rocked by massive crash for Mercedes of Steven Grove