Preparations on the track are complete, including participation in two NLS weekends and the official 24h Qualifiers. The final driver line-ups for the two Lamborghini Huracán GT3 EVO2 cars have now been confirmed: Mirko Bortolotti (Italy), Jordan Pepper (South Africa) and Dani Juncadella (Spain) will drive the #27 car, and Christian Engelhart (Germany), Luca Engstler (Germany) and Marco Mapelli (Italy) will take turns at the wheel of the #28 car.
“We have worked intensively over the past few months to refine routines and procedures, and to give every driver, engineer and mechanic the opportunity to bond even more closely,” says ABT Motorsport Director Martin Tomczyk. “Of course, a 24-hour race – and even more so on the Nordschleife – always has surprises in store. But with our two strong driver teams, who work really well together both on and off the track, I am confident that we will be able to overcome the challenges of this unique race.”
ABT has a special surprise for fans, which spectators discovered during the qualifiers at the end of May: the two Lamborghini racecars have different designs. “In 2023, fans loved our black Lamborghini, and last year the dark blue Red Bull car was an instant crowd favourite. Now, we’re bringing both designs together on the track,” says Tomczyk. While the #27 car will start with a design that is almost identical to that of 2024, the #28 car will be completely black.
“I am confident that we will be able to overcome the challenges of this unique race.”, says ABT Motorsport director Martin Tomczyk.
ABT Head of Sport Marketing Harry Unflath has secured a host of high-profile partners, many of which have been involved with the team for a long time. As in the previous year, Red Bull will be the dominate presence, not only with the vehicle design and team name (#27 Red Bull Team ABT), but also with numerous hospitality and marketing activities in the paddock and around the track. The Schaeffler Group, SÜDPACK, H&R, SONAX, MAHA, Müller and the MR Group are also on board as major partners. Lamborghini Singen, AlphaTauri and Ravenol are further additions to the partner and sponsor family. “We are proud that so many of our long-standing partners, as well as new companies, are joining us for our adventure on the Nordschleife,” says Unflath. “I think both cars look fantastic on the track, in photos and on TV.”
The Eifel classic also holds special significance for Hans-Jürgen Abt. “Since our debut over 25 years ago, we have experienced many emotional moments here, but a victory is still missing,” says the CEO of the ABT Group. “I hope that we can give our fans a lot of pleasure this year with our strong package on and off the track.”
Race week at the Nürburgring traditionally begins on Wednesday afternoon (18 June) with the Adenauer Racing Day. The #27 Lamborghini and all six ABT drivers will be in the town centre to get into the spirit of the endurance classic with the fans. On Thursday at 1 p.m., the cars will take to the track for the first time for qualifying.