This car is driven by Lamborghini’s DTM star
Mirko Bortolotti drives a Lamborghini for SSR Performance in the DTM. An interview with the Italian.
Mirko Bortolotti is fighting again this year with SSR Performance in Lamborghini Huracan GT3 EVO2 for the title in the DTM. Last season, the Italian gave the Munich racing team three of the team’s four victories and fought an exciting duel at the top of the table throughout the entire season, which only ended in the finale at the Hockenheimring with Bortolotti taking second place.
This year he has already demonstrated his title ambitions at the season opener in Oschersleben with a second place and a pole position. In Sunday’s race, however, he lost valuable points due to a problem during the pit stop.
Mirko Bortolotti, what is your goal for this season?
Definitely the championship! The DTM is very competitive this year, with an incredibly strong field of starters. In Oschersleben we saw that every mistake can cost us victory. But we did our homework and found the mistake from the pit stop.
Mirko Bortolotti wants to win the DTM title this year
Image: DTM
So I’m very confident about the rest of the season. I’m really looking forward to being part of the DTM again this year.
How motivated are you to fight for the DTM title?
Motivation is at its highest, not just for me, but for the entire SSR Performance team. We were very strong last year, so everyone’s expectations are extremely high. We know that we have to work hard throughout the season to build on these performances.
You have Nicki Thiim by your side this year. What is the chemistry like between the two of you?
Nicki is a very cool guy and a complete professional. He has an incredible amount of experience and has achieved many impressive successes in his career.
I am of course very pleased to have such an experienced teammate, because that will help us move forward as a team. Together we will achieve the best possible results for the team. Unfortunately we were a bit unlucky in Oschersleben, but we will go all out again at the Lausitzring.
You mentioned the strong field of drivers in the DTM. Despite the competition, is there a friendly relationship with other drivers?
I get on best with Christian Engelhart. I trust him and would even give him my credit card.
In the DTM paddock you constantly change languages. Who do you speak what to?
As a native Italian, I speak to the DTM engineers from Lamborghini Italian. All radio communication at my team SSR Performance is in English and since I grew up in Vienna, I do everything else on a DTM race weekend in German.
The DTM is celebrating its 40th season this year. What is your relationship to this anniversary?
I have been a fan of the DTM since I was a little boy. I have enjoyed the exciting races from the very beginning. It is motorsport at the highest level. It is therefore a great honour for me to be involved again in this anniversary season.
Last year you became DTM runner-up. How do you look back on the season?
It was a very, very good season and one that we are extremely proud of. We gave it our all, even if it wasn’t quite enough for the title in the end.
In his private life, Bortolotti drives a Lamborghini Urus Performante
Image: Lamborghini
We are still satisfied with our performance because we have nothing to reproach ourselves for. A total of four wins show that we were right up there with the best.
At Car Whiz we are not only interested in racing cars. What car do you drive privately?
As a Lamborghini factory driver, I have just received a new company car. This is a Lamborghini Huracan Performante. The color that is officially called Verde Turbine Matt is particularly amazing. In my opinion, it looks absolutely amazing.
