Ericsson Hails “Perfect Season” After World Title Win

Hampus Ericsson was “so happy” to capture the Lamborghini Super Trofeo Pro world title with Wayne Taylor Racing, one year after a near-miss that saw him lose out on the crown to Egor Orudzhev on a fastest lap tiebreaker.

Ericsson and Danny Formal won the second of two World Finals races at the Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli on Sunday, which allowed them to take the world title back to North America for the first time since ANSA Motorsport’s 2022 triumph.

The world championship success follows just a handful of days after Ericsson and Formal also won the Super Trofeo North America drivers’ title.

“It’s been the perfect season,” Ericsson told Sportscar365. “I don’t know what to say. It’s been so good. So I’m so happy.

“It feels amazing. After this season as well with Wayne Taylor Racing, my first year with them, I knew the whole season that the World Finals was the big one, the most important one.

“All week we’ve been super, super fast. We’ve been the benchmark out there every session I feel like.

“After yesterday’s race as well when I was fighting for the lead and got taken out in the last lap unfortunately.

“It’s racing, stuff happens out of your control sometimes. But then to bounce back and win today and win the World Finals as well, it’s amazing.

“I can’t thank the team enough, Wayne Taylor Racing, and my teammate Danny Formal as well.”

Ericsson took the start for the final race and admitted to feeling more tense going into the decider after Saturday’s setback, when a late-race collision with Vincenzo Sospiri Racing driver Adam Putera cost the No. 101 Lamborghini a potential race win and caused it to finish fifth.

“Of course as a racing driver you always want to win,” said Ericsson.

“The World Finals are different because it’s only two races. So it’s very, very important to finish the races as well.

“I knew we had the car to win yesterday and I should have won it. S*** happens, but we won the World Finals today. I’m very very proud and happy.”

Last year, Ericsson’s first appearance at the World Finals narrowly ended in defeat when he lost the Pro title to Egor Orudzhev.

The two drivers had taken a victory each at Jerez and were tied on points, but the championship went to Orudzhev on a fastest lap tiebreaker.

Ericsson admitted that his close defeat 12 months ago also served as extra motivation to take the crown this time round at Misano.

“Last year, I finished second in the World Finals, drawn on points with Orudzhev but he had a faster lap so that’s why he won it,” said Ericsson.

“So even that as well is adding up to the pile of I really wanted to win this and I needed this.

“Both for myself, but also for the team and everyone at Wayne Taylor Racing. So it means so much.”