Aghakhani Joins VSR for Italian GT Campaign

With a full-season campaign in Lamborghini Super Trofeo North America already confirmed, 17-year-old Steven Aghakhani announced today an additional four-race campaign in a Vincenzo Sospiri Racing (VSR) Lamborghini Huracan GT3 Evo in the Italian GT Championship.

Aghakhani and co-driver Jacob Eidson, 25, were announced in March as full-season co-drivers in Super Trofeo Pro where the young driving duo will wage an all-out bid for this year’s championship.

Now, Aghakhani has completed his 2020 racing calendar with the addition of four Italian GT rounds.

An effort with the full support of Lamborghini Squadra Corse, Aghakhani is set to co-drive a VSR Lamborghini Huracan GT3 Evo in four endurance races at Monza, Mugello, Vallelunga and Imola with factory Lamborghini driver Raffaelle Giammaria.

Giorgio Sanna, Head of Lamborghini Motorsport, played a lead role in pairing up Aghakhani with a factory-supported team and driver.

“Having the opportunity to race in the Italian GT championship is something I am very excited for and have been looking forward to my entire racing career,” Aghakhani said.

“I am honored that Giorgio Sanna chose me as to pilot one of their factory GT3 cars in this series, which is going to be a challenging series and as racing in Europe requires more edge.

“However, I am ready and I have the confidence that I will perform to my best. I won the both world championship races last year in Jerez, Spain racing against great drivers from Europe and Asia.”

In 2019, Aghakhani won five of the ten Super Trofeo North America races he contested with US RaceTronics in the Am class. He then earned the title of Lamborghini World Final Champion with a sweep of the season-ending international doubleheader in Jerez, Spain last October.

“We are very proud to have Steven with us in Italian GT3,” Sanna said. “Our target is to have Steven as an ambassador of our Young Driver Program from Super Trofeo competition paired with a factory driver as experienced as Raffaele Giammaria and another fast young driver coming from another important international series.

“So, the mix is very promising, and we will be sure to take care of Steven in Italy during his first and important experience in GT3. He will have full factory support and the vast experience and fundamental support from Vincenzo Sospiri Race as a top team in Europe.”

Aghakhani is scheduled to test in Italy with VSR in mid-June in preparation for his first race at Mugello, July 19. The remainder of the select schedule of Italian GT3 Championship races includes Imola, Aug. 30, Vallelunga, Sept. 20 and Monza, Nov. 8.

“While I have been working with my coaches and trainer in the U.S., seat time is what will take me to the next level in the Italian GT3 Championship,” Aghakhani said. “Being able to practice and master the legendary circuits in this series is the advantage we are looking for.

“We have a number of test days organized by Vincenzo Sospiri Racing and that is what will ultimately get us the results we need in the races.

“It means the world to me that Lamborghini has given me this opportunity, especially being this young and early in my career. I am very honored to be representing my sponsors overseas, I am ready to work hard, embrace this challenge and get the results we want. We will definitely not disappoint.”