Bortolotti (Lamborghini): “We Are Working On The LMDh Car Intensively”

Lamborghini factory driver Mirko Bortolotti says his season with Prema Racing in the FIA WEC’s LMP2 class is extremely valuable as part of his preparations for the Lamborghini LMDh programme next season.

The Italian, who is driving the #63 Prema Racing ORECA with Doriane Pin and fellow Lamborghini LMDh driver Daniil Kvyat, is already spending time behind the scenes developing the forthcoming Ligier-based prototype.

While the LMDh isn’t close to being ready to race yet, Bortolotti says he has already been spending time completing simulator work as the team finalises the concept for the car, which DSC believes will begin testing this Summer.

“We are working on the car intensively. There will be news soon. I am deeply involved in the car’s development, we are using every free day of the week on it, mainly on the simulator at the moment.

“I am not the only driver involved in the development,” he said. “Because my schedule is quite busy I am trying to find a compromise between racing and being involved in the development of the car. I have had to step out of some important races this year to free up time for LMDh development.”

Alongside that, competing alongside Kvyat, who was confirmed as an LMDh driver for Lamborghini only last week, is very important for him as he prepares to immerse himself in the factory programme. Kvyat is the fourth driver confirmed for the programme, following the news from last year that Bortolotti, Andrea Caldarelli and Romain Grosjean would be part of the team.

Bortolotti told DSC he knew going into the season that Kvyat would be confirmed as a driver for 2024, getting to know him and gaining experience working alongside him was, therefore, a priority from the off.

“We want to get to know each other, to start working on procedures, to have a season together. Whatever we do, it doesn’t matter if it’s for Prema or me, what matters is that it’s a winning mentality.

“We haven’t known each other for long. But I knew him obviously from his Formula One career, he doesn’t need an introduction, we know how good he is. We are really happy to have him as part of the team, it’s a privilege. We are a strong team together, and we are looking at the future.”

However, Lamborghini Squadra Corse hasn’t yet decided on the driver combinations for this programme, which will see cars in both IMSA and the FIA WEC.

The plan is to be in both IMSA and WEC

“The plan is to be in both IMSA and WEC, but the way they will handle the drivers is something that the factory will decide for us. From my side, I am really happy to race in either,” said Bortoloti.

For 2024, the Iron Lynx-run effort will compete in the full FIA WEC with a single car, and the Michelin Endurance Cup rounds of IMSA, also with a single car, adding a second car for the major races such as the Le Mans 24 Hours and Rolex 24 Hours. The position on the timing of customer cars is not yet public.

It is also not yet clear whether or not Iron Lynx will be ready in time to debut the car at the 2024 Rolex 24 Hours.

Before that though, Bortolotti is focused on getting the most out of his 2023 programme in the WEC. After a podium at Sebring and fourth-place finish in Portimao, he and his teammates are firmly in championship contention, something he says is a focus for this season, despite the real priority – getting ready for 2024 – lying elsewhere.

“It’s really good. We have Doriane (Pin) who has a lot to learn, but she is very mature and quick. She is in the perfect environment with us. I look forward to her development this year. We have had a good start to the season so it would be a lie to say we don’t want to do well in the championship. It’s important to build. We will see where we are in the standings at the end of the year.

“We need to be honest that our main target this season is to work together. The best team building though is being successful. It’s a great opportunity.

“I have been with Lamborghini since I was in Super Trofeo in 2014, which was almost a road-legal car. This journey through thick and thin and being successful internationally at big races and championships brought us here now, and we are really proud to make this big step into Hypercar.”