DTM champion Mirko Bortolotti has admitted he will likely be “sad” when the “special” Lamborghini Huracan GT3 retires from lively service and is replaced by the brand new 2026 Temerario model.
Apart from 2020, when he briefly worked at sister brand Audi before returning to Lamborghini, Bortolotti has been a fixture on the automobile, which is currently undergoing its second Evo modernization cycle since its debut in 2015.
The 34-year-old, certainly one of the corporate's first development drivers, won his first DTM title in a Huracan this 12 months, his latest accolade in a automobile that features winning the 2017 Blancpain Endurance Series title and back-to-back GTD class victories within the 24 Hours Daytona race within the 2018–2019 season.
Speaking to Motorsport.com, Bortolotti admitted he’ll miss the 5.2-litre naturally aspirated V10-powered Huracan GT3 EVO2 after its long tenure, with GT3 cars having recently turned to turbocharged engines.
“Now we don't have to prove anything with this car,” reflected the Italian, who secured the DTM champion title for Abt Audi driver Kelvin van der Linde in 2023 after ending second to Porsche's Thomas Preining.
“I'm really happy with the work done on the Huracan in 2014, which was the start of our joint work with Audi.
“It's a very special automobile for me and it modified my profession; it has given me a very latest vision for motorsport, a very latest future with this program and it’s a very special automobile for me, so on the one hand it is gloomy to see her leave at the top of next season.
#19 Iron Lynx Lamborghini Huracan GT3 EVO2: Franck Perera, Jordan Pepper, Jordan Pepper, Mirko Bortolotti
Photo: Art Fleischmann
“And then there is the distinctive naturally aspirated V10 and so on. I will definitely miss him.”
As announced originally of this 12 months, the GT3 Temerario version will start testing next 12 months and can go to the racing circuit in 2026.
The road model is powered by a twin-turbocharged V8 engine, and Bortolotti predicts that “few things can be compared to the current Huracan.”
Asked what he would love to see in Temerario, Bortolotti replied: “It's still too early for me to give an answer on what we are focusing on.”
Bortolotti also spent 2024 racing within the Hypercar class of the World Endurance Championship on the brand new Lamborghini SC63 LMDh prototype, but last week it was announced that the Italian brand won’t return to the WEC next 12 months, even though it plans to proceed driving the SC63 within the IMSA Sportscar Championship.
There can be uncertainty regarding the long run of the SSR Performance team, with which Bortolotti has raced within the DTM for the past two seasons.
Asked about his hopes of defending his title in 2025, Bortolotti said: “There are many topics on the table in favor of the DTM,” but maintained it was too early to make a firm commitment.
“If there is a chance and interest in me coming back and trying to defend it, of course I will be very happy to do it because the DTM is a really special championship,” he said.
“If there was a chance to fight for it again, I definitely wouldn't say no. However, I cannot provide an answer on this at this time.”
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