ABT “Confident” Ahead of First N24 With Lamborghini EVO2

ABT Sportsline team principal Thomas Biermaier feels “confident” about the team’s chances ahead of its first Nürburgring 24 run with Lamborghini as it returns to the event after six years away.

The team is fielding a single Lamborghini Huracan GT3 EVO2 for Kelvin van der Linde, Marco Mapelli, Jordan Pepper and Nicki Thiim as the sole representation for the Italian marque’s newly updated GT3 challenger at the Eifel classic.

The arrival of the Kempten-based squad doubles the number of Lamborghinis taking part in the event compared to last year’s edition. N24 stalwart Konrad Motorsport also has a single car, although its Lamborghini has not been updated to EVO2 specification.

ABT’s expansion to Lamborghini is notable, given its longstanding relationship with Audi that resulted in a combined ten drivers’ and teams’ titles in DTM.

It is not unprecedented for the team to compete with other brands: its most recent N24 appearance in 2017 came with three Bentley Continental GT3s, one of which was driven by Pepper.

Biermaier told Sportscar365 that it was a “late call” for ABT to work with Lamborghini on an N24 entry. He revealed the decision on the effort was made last November after discussions had taken place earlier in 2022.

“But what we saw until now is a great partnership,” said Biermaier.

“We’re getting big support, good support from drivers and engineers. It’s a good relationship.

“We’re quite happy with what we are doing and we are quite happy with how they are supporting us. Until now, it’s been a good relationship.

“We received the car quite late because it’s the EVO2. We got the car at the end of February. There was not a lot of time.

“The guys were working quite hard. We were traveling a lot for tests, for NLS and the Quali race. But it’s not an excuse. We are prepared for it.

“We know we have a good car, good manufacturer. A good team, good drivers. So we feel confident.

“We feel that we are competitive. Nürburgring is Nürburgring, so you have to survive 24 hours. It’s not that the quickest car is winning a race or the fastest driver is winning a race. The best team is winning this race.

“At the end, the Nürburgring makes the decision [on] who is winning. You need some luck. You need the right strategy. No accidents or incidents.”

Biermaier explained that there is “not a huge difference” between the Huracan GT3 EVO2 and Audi’s GT3 platform, which it races in DTM. Lamborghini started out in GT3 using Audi’s car as a base but has made independent steps with subsequent evolutions.

“We all have the GT3 experts, with our mechanics, with our engineers,” said Biermaier.

“We did some tests in the last weeks and months and we are prepared for it. We know the car clearly.

“It’s a new car, we had different issues at the beginning. It’s always normal with new cars and the first time after the build-up. But now we should be sorted. 

“I would say the biggest difference is the kinematics and suspension. The engine is not a huge difference. It’s more powerful, but more restricted.

“With the Balance of Performance, everyone is on the same level, but there’s not a huge difference from an Audi.”

Thiim ‘Fits Well’ as a Fourth Driver

Biermaier also elaborated on the decision to recruit Aston Martin factory driver Thiim as the fourth driver alongside van der Linde, Pepper and Mapelli.

The team made attempts in previous years to recruit the Dane, while his experience racing Lamborghini machinery in last year’s DTM was a factor in bringing him on board for the N24.

“We had already had some contact with him in the last few years, but it never worked to get him in the car,” said Biermaier.

“Now we were looking for a fourth [driver]. Because Kelvin was clear for us.

“Also Jordan, he did a great job last year here at the N24. Marco, he has a lot of experience with that car. These three drivers were already fixed for us.

“We said, OK, the fourth one who’s fitting to us and Nicki is fitting to us.  He had some experience with the Lambo last year in DTM with T3 Motorsports.

“It was fine for us. We’re quite happy with our drivers.”