Iron Lynx GTP Drivers ‘Staying in the Loop’ by Racing in GTD Pro

Andrea Caldarelli says that Iron Lynx’s trio of GTP drivers are using opportunity to compete in the Rolex 24 at Daytona in the GTD Pro category to stay in “racing mode” before Lamborghini’s LMDh car makes its IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship debut later this year.

Caldarelli will share the cockpit of the No. 63 Lamborghini SC63 with fellow factory drivers Matteo Cairoli and Romain Grosjean when the car makes its first racing appearance in the U.S at the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring in March.

As the Ligier-chassised prototype is not competing at this weekend’s WeatherTech Championship opener, the three drivers have instead been placed in Lamborghini’s two-car GTD Pro lineup.

Caldarelli will team up with Mirko Bortolotti, Jordan Pepper and Franck Perera aboard the No. 19 Iron Lynx Lamborghini Huracan GT3 EVO2, while Grosjean and Cairoli have been paired up as part of the No. 60 crew that was moved from GTD to GTD Pro ahead of the Roar Before the Rolex 24.

According to Caldarelli, the placement in the GTD Pro squad allows the three drivers to “stay in the loop” as they prepare to step up to GTP, strengthening working relationships with Iron Lynx personnel.

“I think the biggest benefit is the fact that it’s the same championship,” he told Sportscar365.

“[The] same rules, not the same team of people but the same organization and the same franchise.

“The benefit is really to stay in the loop, work with the same people getting [in] to the same regulation, same style of racing.

“That’s really the benefit of come here and do this this race. That’s the biggest thing. You want to race, you don’t want just to test.

“We are testing with our GTP since August. Of course we have been doing other races in other series but you want to start the season as soon as possible [to] start to work in a racing mode, not just in testing.”

Cairoli, who is making his debut as a Lamborghini factory driver this weekend, expressed a similar sentiment but added that the Rolex 24 is also a significant opportunity to gain experience with the Huracan GT3 EVO2.

“Every time we work together, it’s good for all,” Cairoli said.

“Here in Daytona, we are going to drive the GT3. So it’s still an experience for me. I really want to get experience also with the GT3.

“I would say that the main goal for me, the main target is to perform as best as possible in the LMDh.

“Here in the GT3, of course, it’s for me, it’s a good chance to get along all together as a team. And I think we will have no problem.”

Caldarelli, meanwhile, said there’s also benefits of the multi-class nature of the WeatherTech Championship races.

“The biggest thing is for sure traffic management,” he said.

“Like where the GT car brakes, which line they do and what kind of approach they have to different corners.

“It’s definitely a good point to be on the other side in order that when you jump on the prototype [you know] how to approach the overtakes.”