The first big truck manufacturer switch of 2021 has occurred with Red Bull Ampol Racing using a Mercedes Actros prime mover in its season launch video

The white and blue Mercedes Actros took centre stage in Red Bull Ampol Racing’s season launch video released on Friday morning, pulling the race gear into Ampol’s Lytton Refinery east of Brisbane at dawn for the grand unveiling of its 2021 weaponry.

We expect that the manufacturer switch is a result of Daimler Trucks signing on as a major sponsor of the Banyo outfit, the parent brand of Mercedes Trucks as well as Freightliner and Fuso.

Daimler Trucks signage also appears on the team’s pair of Holden Commodore Supercars, occupying prime real estate above the front air intake.

We also spotted a few cosmetic changes to the trailer wrap, with Ampol appearing prominently at the rear, joined by some new sponsors at the front.

The team was previously supported by IVECO Australia and had run IVECO Stralis prime movers since the start of the 2015 season.

The first official trip for the track for the team’s Mercedes Actros will be for testing at Queensland Raceway on February 12.

The 2020 Repco Supercars season officially begins at Bathurst two weeks later on February 26.