Engstler: Lamborghini Deal ‘Not Possible’ Without Grasser

Newly minted Lamborghini factory driver Luca Engstler credited the support from GRT Grasser Racing Team boss Gottfried Grasser as a major factor in securing a contract with the Italian brand, stating “I would not be where I am right now” without the Austrian squad.

Engstler will make his race debut as a works driver with Lamborghini in this weekend’s six-hour GT World Challenge Europe powered by AWS Endurance Cup season opener at Paul Ricard.

The German will share the Grasser-entered No. 63 Lamborghini Huracan GT3 EVO2 with Mirko Bortolotti and Jordan Pepper, part of a two-car effort for the team.

Engstler was named a factory driver with Lamborghini in February coming off the back of a successful season in which he claimed a pair of DTM victories at Oschersleben and Hockenheim.

The 25-year-old took those victories in a Grasser-run Lamborghini, with Engstler crediting the Austrian with giving him an opportunity when “nobody picked up the phone” after a difficult first season in DTM.

“To be fully honest with you, without Gottfried, I would not be where I am right now,” Engstler told Sportscar365.

“So he definitely gave me the chance in the winter [of 2023] where nobody picked up the phone. He picked it up and gave me the chance to do DTM.

“He’s always provided me his best possible. He’s throwing everything in to be successful,  and I have his full trust and he has my full trust. I think we kick-started so well together.

“I wouldn’t call him now only my boss, he’s also a very good friend of mine, the whole family, and I’m very thankful for everything they’ve done.

“It’s been a massive chance, I think I took the chance and I grabbed it with both hands, but I still appreciate every morning when I walk into that team and into that paddock.

“For sure I know where I’m coming from and who I have to thank.”

Engstler, who enjoyed success early in his career through a stint in TCR racing, was initially on Audi’s books when he made the switch to GT3 competition in 2022.

That initially resulted in both an overall podium in the CrowdStrike 24 Hours of Spa as well as a drive in one of the Audi Sport-backed cars at the Nürburgring 24 in 2023.

However, Engstler was left seeking for alternatives when Audi shuttered its factory-supported GT3 activities, which resulted in its works driver pool being eliminated.

“Obviously my deal ran out and I didn’t have a great year in DTM,” said Engstler.

“It was my first year. Obviously I had Spa, where I finished on the podium, but it seemed like it just didn’t click and didn’t go together.

“I had a test with Mercedes in the winter where there could have been a chance, but at the end of the day nothing came together and I had no drive.

“Then basically we were looking for private deals, private drives where I could hop on and the only one that really showed interest and gave me a chance was Gottfried.

“When you are having a bad year, it’s difficult to have people around that support you and trust you. He’s been one of them, so I’m thankful for him.

“Because without him, I don’t know if I would have been another season in DTM, if I would have immediately signed another deal with a brand and would be on line-ups like I am right now.

“So without him, for sure, that would have not been possible.”