Kvyat, Bortolotti Join Prema LMP2 Lineup

Daniil Kvyat and Mirko Bortolotti are amongst the names that will join Prema for its expanded, two-car LMP2 effort in the FIA World Endurance Championship.

The Italian squad is expanding to a two-car program in the WEC after a debut LMP2 season in which it fielded a single car in both the globetrotting championship as well as the European Le Mans Series.

Both Kvyat and Bortolotti team up with the previously confirmed Doriane Pin aboard the No. 63 Oreca 07 Gibson.

Kvyat makes a delayed entry into LMP2 competition, having initially been confirmed for G-Drive Racing’s entry last year before that fell apart when the team withdrew in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and subsequent sanctions from governments as well as the FIA.

Instead, the former Grand Prix driver took part in three races in the NASCAR Cup Series last year.

“It’s a very exciting part of my career to join Prema and compete in the FIA World Endurance Championship together,” Kvyat said.

“The team is very notorious for previous success, and it’s now looking to conquer the world of Endurance racing as well.

“I’m very excited to be part of it and very motivated to give my absolute best to try put ourselves in the top positions.”

Bortolotti returns to the cockpit of an LMP2 car for the first time since last year’s 24 Hours of Le Mans, where he impressed on debut with Team WRT.

“I’m delighted to be joining Prema in the FIA WEC this year,” the Italian said.

“The team has proven competitive straight away in the championship, so the aim is to continue the good work this season as well as to prepare for the LMDH programme.

“Big thanks to Prema and Lamborghini Squadra Corse for the trust and opportunity.”

Andrea Caldarelli, who was confirmed alongside Bortolotti as one of the official drivers for the Lamborghini LMDh program, will make his LMP2 race debut with the team at the season-opening 1000 Miles of Sebring.

He steps in to replace the previously confirmed Juan Manuel Correa, who is unable to compete in Florida due to clashing commitments in Formula 2.

A statement from the team indicates Caldarelli will also race in place of Correa ‘in case of further date clashes’.

Currently, the WEC rounds at Spa and Monza are set on the same weekend as F2 events at Baku and Silverstone, respectively.

Caldarelli previously hinted that he was hoping to secure an LMP2 drive in 2023 to prepare for Lamborghini’s impending move into LMDh.

“I am very happy to race back with Prema in this new adventure,” he said.

“I have such good memories with the team from having raced with them in 2007 and 2010 and they were my second family at that time, so I am really looking forward to being back racing with them.

“It is going to be a new challenge for me, so I am hoping that my already existing knowledge and experience will guide me through this.

“I would like to thank Lamborghini Squadra Corse and Iron Lynx for allowing me to race in this program.”

Caldarelli and Correa will share the No. 9 Oreca with Bent Viscaal and Filip Ugran for the full season.

Both drivers step up after competing in the European Le Mans Series with Algarve Pro Racing last year.

Viscaal secured a podium finish on debut at Paul Ricard alongside Sophia Floersch, with Ugran later replacing the German for the final two races of the season.