According to Romain Grosjean and Mirko Bortolotti, Lamborghini’s latest test drives with the LMDh car SC63 were a complete success: test at Daytona in December
The new Lamborghini LMDh car SC63 for the World Endurance Championship (WEC) and IMSA has proven to be extremely reliable in the tests so far, according to drivers Romain Grosjean and Mirko Bortolotti
“The tests went really, really well, it was very impressive how smoothly they went,” says former Formula 1 driver Grosjean in an interview with Autosport,
“We had no problems with the hybrid car, which is a year behind the competition, and it was a surprise for all of us how well we got on with the new car,” said Grosjean after the recent tests in Almeria and Jerez. “I hope that the next tests go just as well as the last ones!”
Lamborghini used two cars for the first time during the tests in Spain after the SC63 development program suffered a setback in the summer due to a serious accident involving Bortolotti at Le Castellet, in which the only chassis at the time was damaged.
However, Lamborghini has since caught up, according to Bortolotti. “Everything is going according to plan,” he says. “When you are in the development phase, it is clear that not everything always runs smoothly, but I have to say that we have managed to cover a lot of kilometers in Europe, which makes me very happy and at the same time gives us the opportunity to work, learn and develop the car further.”
“I have to say I’m impressed with the work we’ve already done. The car has proven to be very reliable right from the start,” adds Bortolotti. “I have to say that I am very happy with the current state of affairs.”
The test program in Europe has been completed for Lamborghini this year. Now, ahead of the first race at the 24 Hours of Daytona (January 25 to 28, 2024), further test drives are scheduled in the USA, where Lamborghini will meet the competition for the first time. “We will take part in the group test in Daytona on December 6 and 7 together with the other manufacturers,” says Grosjean. “That should give us a good overview of where we stand.”
In the first year of the LMDh program, Lamborghini will run one car throughout the WEC season and in the IMSA endurance races. A second SC63 is expected to enter the WEC season at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in June.
Grosjean, who joins the WEC team at Le Mans, and Bortolotti are among the four works drivers signed up for the program alongside Daniil Kwjat and Andrea Caldarelli. Current Porsche contract driver Matteo Cairoli is in prime position to drive for Lamborghini in IMSA, while Edoardo Mortara is being considered for the last remaining spot in the brand’s six-strong LMDh squad.