Bortolotti, Thiim Join ABT Lamborghini Effort

Photo: ABT Sportsline

Mirko Bortolotti and Nicki Thiim will move from SSR Performance to join ABT Sportsline’s Lamborghini program in DTM.

The two drivers will each pilot a Lamborghini Huracan GT3 EVO2 for the eight-round series, with Bortolotti’s car carrying the No. 1 to reflect his status as the reigning drivers’ world champion.

The Italian joins ABT after two seasons driving with SSR and will have Leon Wippersteg, who previously worked with the departing Kelvin van der Linde, as his race engineer.

“The last three years have been very intense,” said Bortolotti.

“I have come to know ABT as an extremely strong opponent during these years. We have been fighting for the title every year until the end. That says it all, really.

“I think we have all the ingredients to be successful together. My first visit to ABT Sportsline in Kempten made a big impression on me.

“The company has a lot more to offer than just motorsport and I received a very warm welcome from everyone.

“Discussions with ABT started right after last season’s finale. They made me feel like they really wanted me to join the team.

“Seeing the number 1 on my car is very special. The same can be said for my return to the Red Bull family.

“I became part of the Red Bull Junior squad in 2009 and I owe a lot to Red Bull in my career.”

Thiim, meanwhile, is set to embark on his second full season in DTM, having taken his maiden series victory at the Norisring last year.

“I practically grew up with the DTM and even as a child, my dream was to become a DTM driver myself,” Thiim said.

“This dream came true last season. Being able to continue living this dream with ABT Sportsline is something very special for me.

“To sign with ABT for the DTM is like signing with FC Bayern as a footballer. ABT is simply the team in the DTM. To be able to represent this brand and this family makes me very proud.

‘It’s also great that I can continue to form a team with Mirko. I was able to support him on his way to winning the title in my first full DTM season.

“With all his experience and what I have learned myself over the past year, we can achieve a lot with our new team.”

ABT is set to embark on a first season with Lamborghini, switching brands after ending a 25-year relationship with Audi over the offseason.

“We want to fight for victories and the title with our new cars and drivers right from the start,” said ABT Motorsport Director Martin Tomczyk.

“Mirko Bortolotti has the number 1 on his car, which is an incentive to defend it during the year and beyond.

“Everyone knows how strong Mirko is. He hardly ever makes a mistake on the track and is also a good fit for ABT Sportsline as a person.

“Nicki more than just showed his potential in his first full DTM season with his victory at the Norisring.

“The two of them also get on very well personally, which is very important to me.

And the way they threw themselves into the Red Bull film shoot in the Alps from early in the morning until late at night with full passion showed me that they both have exactly the right attitude.

“I am sure that they will give us and our fans plenty of reason to cheer.”

Comtoyou Confims Two-Car Effort with Magnus, Baert

Comtoyou Racing, meanwhile, has confirmed that it will make its series debut with a pair of Aston Martin Vantage GT3 Evos.

As previously reported by Sportscar365, the Belgian squad was evaluating DTM as an expansion of its existing GT3 commitments.

Former Audi factory driver Gilles Magnus will spearhead the effort aboard the No. 007 car, while Nicolas Baert, the son of team owner Jean-Michel Baert, pilots the No. 009 machine.

With Comtoyou’s addition to the grid, Aston Martin returns to DTM for the first time since 2019, when it was part of the Class One ruleset for a single season.