Catsburg Hoping “Very Alien” Lamborghini Can Fight for Win

Photo: ABT

Nicky Catsburg is hoping that the Lamborghini Huracan GT3 EVO2, a car that feels “very alien” to him, can fight for victory in this weekend’s Nürburgring 24 and become the second Italian GT3 brand to triumph in the Eifel endurance classic.

Catsburg returns to the N24 for the first time since being part of Frikadelli Racing’s historic triumph with a Ferrari 296 GT3 in 2023, having joined Red Bull Team ABT in one of its two Huracan entries, co-driving with fellow IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship driver Nick Yelloly and Lamborghini factory ace Marco Mapelli.

It is one of four Lamborghinis in this year’s race when counting the DTM squad’s sister entry of reigning CrowdStrike 24 Hours of Spa winners Luca Engstler and Mirko Bortolotti, plus Patric Niederhauser, as well as entries from Konrad Motorsport and Renazzo Motorsport.

“I’m very happy because I couldn’t do, what I believe is my favorite race of the season, for two years now,” the Corvette factory driver told Sportscar365. “2023 was the last time, and that’s when we won it.

“It’s very cool to be back and this year, it’s going to be extra special with Max [Verstappen] coming along. The event really has a good buzz at the moment.”

While having been part of the Reiter Engineering Lamborghini Gallardo program more than a decade ago, Catsburg admitted the Huracan GT3 EVO2 is very much a new experience for him.

“It’s a new car for me,” he said. ‘I’ve done some testing. It still feels very alien. I feel like I’m a little bit unprepared but it’s a good team and I have fantastic teammates in Marco and Nick.”

He explained the deal came together through former teammate Martin Tomczyk, who is now the team director at ABT Sportsline.

“He knew that I was available,” said Catsburg. “I knew that there was maybe a chance, so we hooked up and we made it happen.

“Hopefully it’s the second Italian car to with the Nürburgring 24! That’s the plan. But you never know. It’s a long race.

“It’s going to be a lot of cars on track, more than in the last couple of years.

“I always feel like this is one of the last very ‘old school’ 24-hour races where you can still… Most of the current 24-hour races have turned into sprint races.

“This one is still a race where you really have to manage traffic, you really have to be careful, you have to take care of the car.

“I love that about that event. And now with that many cars again, even though many of them are GT3s, it’a going to be real interesting.”

When asked if a podium finish could be a realistic target for the effort, which could mark the final factory supported outing for the Huracan GT3 EVO2 in the N24, Catsburg said:  “I don’t see why not.”

He added: “We have a good lineup. I feel like the stuff we’re not allowed to talk about (BoP) is good as well.

“The crazy thing about this event is that you never with the weather. It could rain, it could snow. You just never know.

“We need to survive. But I don’t see why we cannot challenge for the win.”

Catsburg Will “Keep Pushing” for Future N24 Effort With Corvette Z06 GT3.R

The Corvette factory driver said he’s been “trying like crazy” to have GM homologate the Corvette Z06 GT3.R for the Nordschleife in order to mount an effort with the Pratt Miller-built car in the future.

While GT3 cars are eligible, there are several ADAC-specific regulations mandating modifications to the cars, which GM has yet to make.

The N24 is the only Intercontinental GT Challenge race of the season where Corvette, a registered brand in the globe-trotting GT3 series, will not be on the grid.

“I’m pushing hard and I’m doing whatever I can to get the Corvette there, but it’s not up to me, unfortunately, otherwise we would have already been there last year,” said Catsburg.

“Never say never. It’s something that I’ll keep trying to push. But I don’t think they’ll listen to me for those kind of decisions.

“Alex [Sims] is there and obviously Earl Bamber is within the family and has won the race. Nico Varrone has driven there, and is fast, so we have plenty of Corvette guys that could jump in and do the race.

“I think no one is ever going to say no to that opportunity.”

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