LAMBORGHINI ANNOUNCES ITS DEVELOPMENT OF ITS LMDh HYBRID SPORTS VEHICLE RACING PROGRAM

The Lamborghini Squadra Corse is developing its first prototype LMDh, which will debut in 2024 at the FIA ​​World Endurance Championship (Hypercar Class) and the IMSA WeatherTech Sports Car Championship (GTP Class). Since 2015, Lamborghini has been fighting at the top of GT racing, celebrating more than 40 titles and some unique achievements: a triple victory in the GTD class at the legendary 24 Hours in Dayton between 2018 and 2020 was the first three-time win for manufacturers. Now the company’s commitment to the LMDh class is a step towards the highest level of sports car racing, allowing Lamborghini to fight for overall victories in the world’s most prestigious endurance races such as 24 Hours of Le Mans, 24 Hours of Dayton and 12 Hours of Sebring.

“This step into the top echelon of sports car racing is an important milestone for our company,” said Stefan Winkelmann, Chairman and CEO of Lamborghini. “We will measure ourselves with the best, on the most demanding landfills. On the one hand, it will give our successful motorsport program even more visibility, but it will also allow us to test the technologies of the future: our LMDh prototypes will become our most challenging open lab on four wheels. ”

In line with the company’s racing and heritage legacy, the Squadra Corse is taking a step into the motorsport landscape, which is driven by a hybrid engine. Thus, LMDh is ideal for Lamborghini’s transition to hybrid technology: by the end of 2024, the entire Lamborghini lineup will be hybridized.

LMDh stands for Le Mans Daytona hybrid and gives the name to a new category of sports prototype racing cars that will debut in 2023, giving the opportunity to participate in the FIA ​​World Endurance Championship and the IMSA WeatherTech Sports Car Championship in the highest class. For Lamborghini, the LMDh program will run in addition to the GT Squadra Corse platform, which consists of the Super Trofeo and GT3, which remains the core of customers ’motorsport activities.

Speaking about joining LMDh, Lamborghini motorsport manager Giorgio Sanna commented: “I am very pleased that Lamborghini will take the next step in our motorsport, a step in LMDh and a high level of racing in sports cars. LMDh will play a special role in Lamborghini Motorsports’ strategy, giving us a unique opportunity to expand our racing activities for customers to new platforms and strengthen our long-term partnership with customer teams and drivers. ”

Pierre Fillon, president of the Automobile Club de l’Ouest, commented: “To join such a prestigious brand as Lamborghini is fantastic for endurance races. Hypercar, the new top level of the discipline, has attracted automakers from around the world. Soon we are celebrating the 24th century of Le Mans, and another golden age of endurance is just beginning. For example, I am ready to enjoy it to the fullest. “

IMSA President John Dunant said: “IMSA has enjoyed a long-standing partnership with Lamborghini, starting with the introduction of the Lamborghini Super Trophy North America ten years ago and continuing the successful GTD program. We are proud that Lamborghini is confirming plans to expand its IMSA in 2024 to GTP and the top category of racing sports car prototypes. The commitment of another manufacturer of this caliber to race in the GTP reinforces the LMDh technical platform we developed with our partners in the ACO, and we can’t wait to see these new Lamborghini prototypes debut at the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship 2024. ”

Frédéric Lecienne, CEO of FIA WEC, commented: “It is a great honor for us that Lamborghini will join the Hypercar class of FIA WEC from 2024. Lamborghini is an iconic brand, but it has never before raced for endurance in the premier class. They join the FIA ​​WEC at a very interesting time in its history. For the 2024 season there will be an exceptional line of brands competing in our premier class. The competition will be fierce, but we have no doubt that Lamborghini will be in the thick of the fight. Lamborghini has been very successful in other classes of endurance races, so we can’t wait to see them compete for overall victories in our iconic competitions. ”

Source. Lamborghini