Lamborghini Aims for Historic Win at Spa 24 Hours
Lamborghini enters this weekend’s Spa 24 Hours with a strong desire to secure its first overall victory at this prestigious GT3 event. Despite a successful history in GT racing, the iconic Italian manufacturer has yet to reach the top of the podium at Spa, a gap its drivers are keen to close.
Driver Insights
Sandy Mitchell, who has been with Lamborghini since 2021, expressed confidence in his #163 Vincenzo Sospiri Racing Huracan team, comprised of experienced co-drivers Marco Mapelli and Franck Perera. “We’ve been quite fast, but strategy-wise we haven’t nailed it yet,” Mitchell noted, citing past challenges with full-course yellows. He emphasized the importance of managing traffic, stating, “The race is busy; even fighting for the overall win involves navigating slower cars effectively.”
Mitchell, a two-time class winner at Spa, aims for an overall triumph. “If we beat VSR, we’ll know we had a good race. It would be incredible for Lamborghini to finally win here,” he added, underlining the quality of their entry despite a smaller overall presence in the Pro class.
Weather and Tire Management
With high temperatures forecasted, Mitchell highlighted the team’s consistency across various conditions, crediting their strategy of executing single stints during the day and potentially doubling stints overnight. “We’re relatively kind on the tires, so the heat shouldn’t upset us too much,” he assessed.
Grasser Racing’s Approach
Jordan Pepper, racing for Grasser Team in the #63 Huracan alongside Mirko Bortolotti and Luca Engstler, echoed a focus on continuity as a key element for success. “Returning to the same team as last year is a significant advantage,” he stated, reflecting on their fifth-place finish in 2022. Pepper lauded team principal Gottfried Grasser’s experience, noting, “His ability to make quick adjustments is vital, especially in endurance racing.”
The Grasser team, currently without points in the Endurance Cup after two rounds, sees Spa as a pivotal opportunity. “It’s essential to either score well at Spa or dominate there to remain in contention for the title,” Pepper said, expressing optimism based on a successful Prologue test in similar weather conditions.
Final Aspirations
As the Spa 24 Hours approach, drivers from both Lamborghini squads are focused on delivering a historic victory. Mitchell remarked, “It’s time for Lamborghini to finally put one at the top of the podium!” The race promises an intense battle for positions amid a competitive field, with strategies and consistency likely to play critical roles in the pursuit of glory over the grueling 24-hour challenge.
