Pfaff Motorsports’ Lamborghini Temerario GT3 Impresses During Daytona Testing
Daytona International Speedway recently hosted the #9 Pfaff Motorsports Lamborghini Temerario GT3 for its initial testing, with notable participation from Lamborghini Squadra Corse factory drivers Andrea Caldarelli and Marco Mapelli. Over the course of a four-and-a-half-hour session, the team completed 134 laps, laying a solid foundation as they prepare for the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship.
Caldarelli’s initial impressions were positive: “It feels good! It’s nice to bring this car finally to the US. It’s always special to do the first few laps of a new car in North America.” The car had previously tested at four Italian tracks and Circuit Paul Ricard in France, exclusively on Pirelli tires, making this outing on Michelin tires significant for its development.
The test revealed no major issues, with Caldarelli stating, “We didn’t create any red flags, as probably somebody was expecting… We ran all the runs we wanted to do.” Discussions about tire setup and balance were central to the team’s strategy, indicating ongoing refinement is needed. “We never drove this car with these tyres in Europe,” he noted.
During the session, the Lamborghini underwent a significant setup change, which halted running but was a strategic decision rather than a mechanical failure. Caldarelli remarked on the differences between the new twin-turbo V8 and the previous V10-powered Huracán GT3, stressing a distinct driving style required for the Temerario: “Both engine and chassis is obviously a different platform, but other than that, it feels pretty normal.”
Following Daytona, the team will transition to Sebring International Raceway for further endurance testing ahead of the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring. This will be crucial for gathering data on the car’s performance on the challenging track at Sebring, which stands out in Europe. A fourth driver will be added to the lineup, which currently includes Caldarelli, Mapelli, and Franck Perera.
Caldarelli expressed optimism: “Having the chance to actually test in Sebring for a few days… is definitely gonna give us some good data and reference for us.” The team’s progress at these tests is poised to impact their performance for the upcoming season.
