ল্যাম্বোরগিনি Squadra Corse is ready to embark on a historic journey as it prepares for the debut of its SC63 LMDh prototype in the opening round of the 2024 FIA World Endurance Championship. This momentous occasion will take place at the Qatar 1812km race, which promises an exciting start to the season.
Introduced last summer, the SC63 LMDh prototype is a remarkable car powered by a bespoke V8 twin-turbo engine. Developed in collaboration with partner team Iron Lynx and chassis supplier Ligier Automotive, the SC63 has undergone extensive testing in both Europe and the United States. With nearly 10,000km of running under its belt, the Lamborghini team is well-prepared for the challenges that lie ahead.
Competing in the Hypercar class against established brands, Lamborghini Iron Lynx began its preparations during the two-day Prologue test earlier this week. The focus of the team was on ensuring reliability and fine-tuning the race setup. The Chief Technical Officer at Lamborghini Squadra Corse, Rouven Mohr, expressed his excitement for the upcoming race while acknowledging the strong competition in the field. He emphasized the importance of using this race as a learning opportunity to gather valuable insights and build towards future events, such as the prestigious Le Mans 24 Hours in June.
For the SC63’s debut, a full factory driver lineup has been assembled. Mirko Bortolotti, a long-time official driver for Lamborghini, will be joined by newcomers Edoardo Mortara and Daniil Kvyat in car #63. Both Mortara and Kvyat bring previous experience from competing in the LMP2 class with Prema Racing in the FIA World Endurance Championship last season.
In addition to the SC63 in the Hypercar class, Lamborghini will also have two entries in the LMGT3 category with the Lamborghini Huracán GT3 EVO2. The #60 Iron Lynx car will be piloted by Claudio Schiavoni, Franck Perera, and Matteo Cressoni. Meanwhile, Michelle Gatting and Sarah Bovy will reunite for their third season in the FIA WEC, this time driving the #85 Iron Dames entry alongside Doriane Pin. The LMGT3 category brings an additional level of excitement to the competition, and these Lamborghini teams are poised to showcase their performance.
The race will take place at the Lusail International Circuit, located just north of Doha, Qatar. This 16-turn, 5.38km track has previously hosted Formula One and motorcycle world championship events. The Qatar 1812km race, named in honor of Qatar’s national day, will provide a formidable challenge for both the Hypercar and LMGT3 competitors. With its 10-hour duration, it stands as the second-longest race on the FIA WEC calendar.
The Prologue test offered valuable insights and prepared the teams for the upcoming race. Due to logistical delays, the test started two days later than planned, but Lamborghini Iron Lynx made the most of the available sessions. The mix of daytime and nighttime sessions allowed the teams to experience varying track temperatures, simulating the conditions they are likely to encounter during the race. The focus during the Prologue was on accumulating more kilometers on the SC63, ensuring its reliability, and experimenting with different setup configurations to optimize performance.
The #63 crew, consisting of Bortolotti, Kvyat, and Mortara, completed their program without encountering any issues. They recorded a best lap time of 1m42.556 and completed 196 laps over the two days. The Lamborghini Huracán GT3 EVO2s also performed smoothly, participating in multiple sessions and accumulating a total of 283 laps between the two cars.
The official timed sessions for the opening round of the season will commence on Thursday, 29th February. The first free practice session is scheduled for 12:20 local time, followed by FP2 at 17:30. On Friday, 1st March, a final free practice session will take place at 11:00. The day will culminate with the eagerly anticipated four-part qualifying session, starting at 16:00. Once the grid positions are determined, the race will commence on Saturday, 2nd March at 11:00.
As Lamborghini Squadra Corse embarks on this new chapter in its history, racing enthusiasts around the world eagerly await the thrilling competition that lies ahead. The debut of the SC63 LMDh prototype and the participation of the Lamborghini Huracán GT3 EVO2s in the LMGT3 category promise an exhilarating start to the 2024 FIA World Endurance Championship season.
