Lamborghini Iron Lynx has revealed that Mirko Bortolotti will race alongside Daniil Kvyat in the #63 SC63 LMDh prototype that will compete in the FIA WEC’s Hypercar class next year.
Both drivers were previously announced as Squadra Corse factory drivers for the LMDh programme, though it wasn’t clear which championship they would compete in, as Iron Lynx will also undertake a partial IMSA Endurance Cup campaign next year in GTP with an SC63.
The pair have been confirmed for the WEC programme after playing a key role in the development of the SC63, which has been track testing since the summer ahead of its global race debut in 2024.
33-year-old Italian Bortolotti joins the WEC with Iron Lynx following a lengthy spell as a Lamborghini driver that dates back to 2014.
Kvyat, meanwhile, joined Lamborghini earlier this year and competed as part of PREMA’s 2023 FIA WEC LMP2 campaign. The 29-year-old has 110 Formula One starts to his name.
The pair will be partnered in the Lamborghini Iron Lynx roster by another long-time Lamborghini driver, Andrea Caldarelli. The Italian will compete in the 2024 Michelin Endurance Cup.
In addition to confirming the roles for three of its drivers, Iron Lynx has also confirmed that the SC63 will take part in the IMSA test at Daytona next month in what will be the car’s first official appearance in North America.
However, Iron Lynx will sit out the 2024 Rolex 24 Hours as SC63’s development and homologation processes reach their final stages. The target for the SC63’s race debut is the opening round of the 2024 FIA WEC season in Qatar on March 2nd.
“Today’s announcement is particularly significant,” said Iron Lynx team principal and CEO Andrea Piccini. “Having the first names allocated to our roster brings us closer to our 2024 debut, and marks a new phase in the development of this project.
“We already worked with Mirko, Daniil, and Andrea this year, and we were impressed by their skills, experience, and professionalism. I cannot wait to reveal our full line-ups and see where the future will bring us.”
Iron Lynx was also confirmed in the LMGT3 class of the WEC for next year this morning, with a pair of Huracan GT3 EVO 2s.
Two drivers for the Italian team’s parallel programme have been confirmed alongside the entry reveal, with Claudio Schiavoni set to race the #60 Iron Lynx-entered Huracan and Danish racer Michelle Gatting signed to form part of the Iron Dames trio that will race with #85.
“The 2024 season marks the start of a new era of GT3 racing in the World Endurance Championship,” Piccini added. “We’re delighted to be a part of it and proud to represent the Lamborghini brand in their foray into the series. Testing is ongoing, both with the development of the GT3 car and the Goodyear tyre test where the drivers have given great feedback.
“We’re carrying momentum into 2024 off the back of the Iron Lynx team’s second-place finish at Monza and victory for the Iron Dames in Bahrain. Next year’s calendar will be a demanding one with new circuits like Qatar, São Paulo and COTA but we’re all very excited and ready for the challenge.”
Featured images courtesy of Iron Lynx
