DPi/Hypercar Convergence a “Must Have” for Lamborghini

Photo: Jamey Price/Lamborghini

Head of Lamborghini Motorsport Giorgio Sanna says that a technical convergence between the FIA and ACO’s Hypercar platform and IMSA’s upcoming DPi 2022 regulations could be one of the “must haves” for the Italian manufacturer in order to commit to a top-level prototype program.

Lamborghini, which has held continued discussions with organizers on both sides of the Atlantic, is understood to have been showing increased interest since initial talks and involvement in IMSA’s steering group committee this summer.

It comes on the heels of Lamborghini unveiling a track day-focused hypercar that will debut next year.

When asked by Sportscar365 if the yet-to-be-named hypercar, featuring a 6.5-liter V12 engine, could form the basis of a future WEC Hypercar, Sanna indicted that Lamborghini is taking a wait-and-see approach on potential evolutions in the technical regulations.

Meetings between the ACO and IMSA have intensified in recent weeks over the potential adoption of DPi 2022 regulations within the Hypercar class.

“At the moment, nobody knows,” Sanna said. “For the Hypercar category in the future, the technical regulations are still in process.

“We have to wait to see what the FIA will decide together with the ACO. What I can say is we hope for a convergence, a technical convergence, between ACO and FIA with IMSA. For us, for Lamborghini, this is a sort of must-have.”

Sportscar365 understands that WEC CEO Gerard Neveu recently met with top brass at Lamborghini, while retiring IMSA President Scott Atherton was on-site during the manufacturer’s World Final in Jerez last weekend. 

Sanna stressed it’s still “too early” to make any formal commitment or timeframe for a potential foray into prototype racing.

“At the moment, it’s too early to say something like this,” he said. “We have first as a priority to look what will be finalized from IMSA, from ACO and FIA, hoping for a convergence.

“I think it would be very, very beneficial for the manufacturers and for the promoters. It’s what everybody is looking for, to have a car eligible to race worldwide.

“We know very well that we first, and also our fans, hope to see Lamborghini very soon in a top category. It will happen, it is just a matter of waiting for the right moment in the right category.”

Photo: Lamborghini

Lamborghini Hypercar Fills Void in Product Portfolio

Sanna said its recently announced track day-based hypercar (pictured above) fills a void in Lamborghini’s lineup, although stressing there’s “no chance” to see it being used in competition.

Further details on the 830 horsepower car are expected to be released in the coming months.

“It’s a car that we made, we created, from a white paper without any kind of restriction in terms of racing rules or street legal rules,” Sanna explained.

“We wanted to create a dream car with all the technology that we think is very iconic and based on the wishes of our customers.

“This car will be dedicated only for track days and for VIP customers who are looking to have something unique.

“It covers what was missing before in our product portfolio.”

Jake Kilshaw contributed to this report

John Dagys

John Dagys is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Sportscar365. Dagys spent eight years as a motorsports correspondent for FOXSports.com and SPEED Channel and has contributed to numerous other motorsports publications worldwide. Contact John