WTR Andretti Duo Relishing “Step Up” to Lambo GTD Effort

Lamborghini Super Trofeo North America champions-elect Kyle Marcelli and Danny Formal are relishing their “step up” to a full-season IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship GTD program driving for Wayne Taylor Racing with Andretti Autosport.

The two-time Pro-class champions of the regional single-make series are hoping to maintain their recent form as they move to the Lamborghini Huracan GT3 EVO2.

WTR Andretti, which also races in GTP, is bringing its GTD program in-house after previously teaming up with Racers Edge Motorsports to field an Acura NSX GT3 Evo22.

Although Marcelli and Formal drove the Racers Edge car in this year’s Michelin Endurance Cup, their upcoming full-season 2024 effort with Lamborghini represents a significant progression for WTR Andretti’s GT racing involvement.

“I look at it as a step up for the whole program,” Marcelli told Sportscar365.

“Everybody under the WTR Andretti tent is really excited to bring that GTD program in-house. It’s been on the table for many years.

“When I joined the program in 2021 it was with the intention of being back in the top level of GT racing with the team. It’s just about timing. Things finally fell into place and we’re really excited about it.

“We’ll bring some mechanics and engineers with us. Those decisions are made above our pay grade, but I trust that we’re going to have a fantastic group.

“WTR does not show up to not compete for wins, so I know we’re in good hands. We’ve just got to do our job behind the wheel.”

Marcelli and Formal started driving together in 2021 when they finished second in the Lamborghini Super Trofeo North America Pro standings behind Richard Antinucci.

However, they soon became a title-winning proposition, winning five races last year. They could double that number with a victory in Friday’s season-ending contest at Vallelunga.

“We’re getting to a point that if Kyle goes out and doesn’t like something, I’m ready for the [setup] change because I trust his feedback,” Formal told Sportscar365.

“I think that’s one of the biggest advantages we have because it is sometimes a disadvantage having two drivers, because you get limited track time.

“It’s pretty crazy how alike we’ve become in this car. Racing the Acura in GTD with Kyle has been the same thing: our driving styles are different but we like the same feeling in the car.

“We’re really looking forward to the full season next year in GTD. I think we’re a pretty good duo for the sprint rounds in GTD, with me being the Silver and Kyle being the Gold.

“We’re really looking forward to it.”

Marcelli added that he and Formal found a “sweet spot” with the Super Trofeo towards the end of their first year together and carried that momentum through the series’ switch to the EVO2 model in 2022 and its shift from Pirelli to Hankook tires this season.

“2021 was the first year for us in every capacity: working together, with this car and this team,” said the Canadian.

“We kind of didn’t really know much. This is a really unique racecar. I have a lot of GT3 and GT4 background, but you can’t compare. It took a little while to find the sweet spot.

“We found that towards the latter half of 2021 and that strength carried through to all of 2022 and 2023. Danny and I like a similar racecar and we play off each other’s strengths and weaknesses. It’s been working nicely.”

WTR Andretti is yet to take delivery of its Lamborghini Huracan GT3 EVO2 and there is set to be a tight gap between its arrival and the start of pre-season track running.

“There’s an eight-day turnaround to get the car ready for the official IMSA test at Daytona,” said Formal.

“So it’s a rush, but I think we have the best team in the business. They know how to work the cars, with five Lamborghini Super Trofeos, two GTPs and a GTD.

“They have all the expertise that we need. Hopefully this lineup of Kyle and I will last for many years to come.”