Mirko Bortolotti: “Great to see Lamborghini again”

He left his family at Lamborghini Squadra Corse for the cousins ​​of the firm with the rings in the 2019-2020 off-season for what constituted one of the most serious “war prizes” of recent years in GT. Mainly aligned under the WRT banner, Mirko Bortolotti quickly found his feet within the German brand, narrowly missing out on victory at the 24 Hours of Nürburgring.

After a 2020 campaign disrupted by the Covid-19 pandemic, the announcement of his return to Italy took the entire paddock by surprise. Returning to the fold with which he reigned on the European scene with Grasser Racing Team in 2017, the former champion Formula 2 2011 returns to the reasons for this career choice, in a period for the future of Lamborghini in endurance could go beyond the framework of GT3 in the more or less short term.

How was this winter of transition for you?

2020 was a special year with the situation we are experiencing. It was a long season until December with the final race at Kyalami in the Intercontinental GT Challenge. The winter was short because we started again at the very beginning of January, but in fact quite normal, with around a fortnight to settle down, which has advantages because we keep the rhythm.

What analysis do you draw from your time at Audi?

The season was very good on all fronts. Everything went well with them, even though it was a different philosophy from the way Lamborghini operates. The experience with Audi was enriching, because it was a huge challenge to go to them, when I was in a position where I had been integrated into the fold of a brand for so many years, where I was able to prove my worth, and where I achieved victories and titles in international races.

We had to adapt to a new car, evolve with very high level drivers who had been used to Audi for several years. Also change teammates depending on the races with the brand's choices. It was interesting and I also got to work with different teams, and due to the limited time due to Covid-19, it was not easy. The year I probably needed testing the most, there were very few.

So I had to learn very quickly, much faster than normal when you change teams, manufacturers or cars. WRT helped me a lot on these points. I learned a lot, and I was quickly able to show that I was on the pace. The comfort zone never existed for me. Once you start feeling this way, it's probably the time in life when you're most at risk. It's always good to have a little pressure and push yourself to improve. 2020 has been extremely positive for me in this regard.

What was the main reason for your return to Lamborghini?

As a professional, and like any high-level sports athlete, sometimes in your life you are in a position to make important decisions. Lamborghini began discussions quite early in 2020 to understand what the future could look like. I have to say that last year was different given the global situation and that changed a lot of plans, not only in daily life, but also in motorsport.

We had to scrutinize how many programs were going to be stopped, how many changed or emerged. It's constantly evolving and you never know what the future will bring. You have to be flexible and understand what the next step could be, and in which direction to go. Everyone has to make their own decisions and what is the best option available on the table.

I had the opportunity to continue with Audi, but a large offer from Lamborghini arrived. They know me well and wanted me to come back to their sports program. In the end, I decided to accept. There is no main reason, or the fact that I didn't feel comfortable with Audi, either with the car or on a human level.

The start of the campaign was not the best at Monza with technical problems with your Lamborghini. How are you approaching the rest of the season?

You can't pick a favorite and everyone may or may not win. You have to focus on yourself, and I can't judge what others do. I think we have a good base, with a strong team and a proven car. We are well prepared and we know each other well with Andrea (Caldarelli) and Marco (Mapelli), even if we have not driven together so often in the past.

I won the championship Endurance Cup with Andrea in 2017 (with Christian Engelhart as third man, Editor's note). We don't need a lot of time to tune in. The experience of 2020 taught me to adapt to any situation. This basis alone is not enough, however, you have to be present on the track, and in key moments, you have to make the right choices. You can be the fastest, but that doesn't necessarily mean winning the championship. Experience in this championship is really important.

There will also be the Intercontinental GT Challenge and the Nürburgring program with FFF and the ADAC GT Masters with Grasser Racing Team. It will be a busy campaign. On the Nordschleife we ​​will have the support of Hankook, and it will be a real challenge, with a lot of development on the tires.

© SRO Motorsports

Do you appreciate the challenge offered by this circuit?

I adore. Last year was my debut with Audi and the program came before theIGTC and the 24 Hours of Spa. I was leading the Endurance series and I couldn't maintain my chances for the championship. It’s like that sometimes in motorsport. On the Nordschleife, we finished 2nd on my debut. It was fantastic, but at the same time a bit bitter, because we were still leading with 40 minutes to go and a mistake cost us the victory against BMW.

With a specific focus on the 24 Hours of Spa which still refuses to you?

In GT World Challenge Europe, it will be, as always, the high point of the year. We are not doing the sprint, and the objective will not only be the 24 Hours but the Endurance championship.

You are reunited with FFF Racing, with whom you raced in Macau in 2016 and 2017. How has the team evolved?

When I drove for them, they were just starting out. So it's great to see how much they've grown over the years. They placed themselves in the costume of one of the leading teams in GT World Challenge. We haven't been able to carry out many tests but with our mutual knowledge coupled with that of the car which is now at its maximum, there will not be a lot of things to reinvent.

Of course, details can always be improved. I think we are ready and everyone is super motivated. In 2019, the season was exceptional (Driver and Team titles in the combined Sprint and Endurance rankings, Driver and Team titles in the Endurance Cup and Driver title in the Sprint Cup), a little less in 2020. The objective is to get back into the fight for the first places.

Do you have any clues to find theIMSA this year after the 24 Hours of Daytona?

I do not think so. With IGTC starting late, it will be complicated. The GRT crews are formed and the car I rode in at Daytona was only supposed to compete in this race.

You also reconnect with Grasser in ADAC, with whom you maintain a special relationship. Did that influence your choice to return to Lamborghini?

Honestly no. Because it is a decision taken for my career in the global sense. We cannot rely on emotions alone. It's already great to be back with Lamborghini, but it would be wrong to say that I came back to them because I was going to drive for GRT. Of course, the connection exists and will obviously remain just like the friendship. But any time I get to drive for a Lamborghini customer team, I'm always up for it.

Could we see you in prototype eventually?

Never say never. I already had offers for a program this winter, but in the end it didn't fit with my priority with Lamborghini and the GT3. I obviously do and will do what the brand expects of me. It depends on the opportunities, but my priority remains my commitment to Lamborghini. They want me to be in their overall project and in the main programs. If there is a possibility of going beyond this, it will be a possibility to study the feasibility. But if a date conflict occurs, there will be no discussions.

While knowing that you must prepare the future of Lamborghini, particularly in GT (Sant'Agata Bolognese is aiming to introduce an Evo 2 kit for its Huracan GT3)...

Yes… (laughs) For the moment I am focusing on the current sports programs. I can't answer more, because it belongs to Giorgio Sanna (director of Lamborghini Squadra Corse). He will give more details about the future. But whatever the brand chooses, it can count on me. I am ready to help with the next step.