Factory Focus: Mirko Bortolotti

We’re in Italy. More specifically, we’re at Imola for the first race weekend in Europe for the Lamborghini SC63 in the FIA World Endurance Championship. Outside the storm clouds are looming large in the sky, ready to empty.

Inside Il Covo, Iron Lynx’s swanky hospitality is a driver who, since switching from single seaters to sportscars in 2014, has been Lamborghini through and through. One without the other just wouldn’t be the same. Of course, it’s Mirko Bortolotti.

Born in Trento in the north of the country, Bortolotti has had a long history with the Sant’Agata Bolognese firm. A title contender in ADAC GT Masters, Italian GT, GT World Challenge and DTM, he’s been a part of some of Lamborghini’s most iconic successes over the past decade.

And he’s ready for more.

Hard work and dedication run through the Italian like water through soil. But behind the steely grit and determination on-track, there’s a refreshing character away from racing even if racing is life!

The Imola WEC weekend represented a significant step forward for the Lamborghini Iron Lynx SC63 project, as a competitive 12^th place finish and another reliable run to the finish demonstrated further progress in the team’s maiden voyage at world championship level.

But let’s get to know Mirko a little bit more, shall we?

Describe your journey with Lamborghini Squadra Corse so far?
I joined Lamborghini in 2014 when we were still running the Gallardo for the last season of that car, and we were developing the Huracán. And the previous head of motorsport, Giorgio Sanna, knew me from my single seater career and Lamborghini were looking to build up their factory team, so it was perfect timing for me, because I didn’t know where racing was going for me at the time, with single seaters and F1 looking quite difficult. So, I made my debut in Italian GT and Super Trofeo and was quite successful straight; I won my first Italian GT race and Lamborghini pretty much signed me straight away, although we waited until the start of 2015 to announce it officially. And then, except for one year, I have been a Lamborghini Factory Driver ever since, winning races in GT Masters, DTM and titles in GT World Challenge and some of the biggest endurance races like Daytona 24 Hours and Sebring 12 Hours.

What excites you the most about the SC63 and the LMDh project?

It’s the sort of project that, until I saw it, I never really believed it was happening. Obviously, it is an exciting period for Lamborghini, to be competing at the highest level and in the world championship. We were very close to joining GTE in WEC but it kind of fell apart just before we were going to announce it, so I had heard rumours about the SC63, but I never believe it until I saw it. And to see this project come alive and to see it grow from the initial sketches to what it is now, is really, really special and something I will carry with me for my entire life.

What is it like now competing in a world championship at last?

Fighting in the world championship is also a really big honour and a chance to show the world what we are capable of as a team. And to compete against all the great manufacturers is a big privilege too and a big responsibility. And I feel the hunger within the team and see the end goal that we are aiming for, and a big part of this is Iron Lynx, without whom we would not be here today. It’s a great environment and everybody knows the challenges and knows what is needed to make the next step and we are happy to do this together.

What is the worst rental car you ever had?

I don’t like small rental cars with low power, let’s put it this way! I prefer big cars with a lot of torque!

What are your hobbies away from the racetrack?

I like to travel and spend time with family and friends. Over the years I have learned to manage time because I am racing a lot. It’s important to find a good balance between preparing yourself but also recovering. So, a lot of my ‘free’ time is preparing the next race, which means refreshing yourself and studying. But otherwise, I find time to relax and enjoy life when I’m not racing so that I don’t overcharge myself. I like staying at home and chilling sometimes also.

You have three songs: one that you know by heart, one you use for motivation and one that is your guilty pleasure. What songs are they?

I’m really bad with lyrics to be honest so there are not many songs I know by heart. It always depends on the situation really. Normally I listen to Hip Hop or RnB. I am a big fan of Drake so that would be something I listen to a lot.

And before a race, probably something quite chill, and the one I listen to the most would be “Ayy (feat. YG & Logic)” with Mozzy. That’s a good song.

My guilty pleasure really is a guilty pleasure. I don’t want to say Justin Bieber, so I will say Justin Timberlake’s ‘What goes around, comes around’. That would be the one. I don’t like it so much, but I do listen to it.

We won’t judge Mirko on his guilty pleasure. He more than redeems himself on-track as he pursues his dream of representing Lamborghini at the highest level in sportscar racing. And there’s no rest for the wicked either. After Imola, Mirko went straight to Oschersleben for the DTM season opener, and he’ll be back in WEC action in the 6 Hours of Spa on the weekend of May 10-11.