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Mirko Bortolotti Surprises DTM Rivals with Impressive Performance at Spielberg
Mirko Bortolotti’s remarkable speed in the SSR Lamborghini left competitors astonished during the DTM event at Spielberg. Despite facing setbacks from the series’ Balance of Performance (BoP) regulations, Bortolotti followed up his victory in the challenging wet/dry opening race with a strong showing, clinching pole position and finishing fourth in the second race.
This outstanding performance has allowed him to seize the championship lead from rival Kelvin van der Linde of Abt Audi, positioning him well ahead of the pivotal title decider scheduled for later this month at Hockenheim.
Bortolotti, long considered one of the top drivers within Lamborghini’s factory lineup, demonstrated that his Huracan GT3 EVO2 remained competitive despite bearing an additional weight burden due to the BoP adjustments. Many observers noted that the Italian still had more potential to tap into during the races.
During Sunday’s race, three-time DTM champion Rene Rast closely pursued Bortolotti in the early laps, where all drivers in the top 10 began the race on used qualifying tires. Rast, who ultimately secured the race victory after successfully executing a pit strategy, remarked, “I caught up with Mirko, but as soon as he noticed my presence, he accelerated and suddenly drove incredibly fast. It was clear he still had more pace if needed.”
Rast, who drives for Schubert BMW, had a favorable BoP adjustment of 20kg lighter than his competitors, contrasting starkly with Bortolotti’s 45kg increase from his Saturday win. The weight differential meant that Bortolotti’s car was carrying an additional 120kg compared to Rast’s during the race, yet he still achieved impressive lap times in the 1m29.7s range.
Ambitious Strategies and Tactical Moves
Bortolotti’s performance not only impressed fans but also raised eyebrows among his competitors, including Rast’s team principal, Torsten Schubert, who acknowledged the unusual nature of Bortolotti’s pace despite the significant ballast. “If he can perform at such a level with 120kg added, it might indicate an issue with the BoP regulations,” Schubert stated.
The 34-year-old Italian’s prowess was evident from the start of the weekend. After qualifying fourth, Bortolotti dominated the opening race on a damp track, managing the changing conditions expertly. Although Mercedes driver Maro Engel followed closely, Bortolotti successfully maintained his lead to secure his first victory of the season by 1.3 seconds.
Interestingly, while Bortolotti claimed that the latter part of the race felt like a qualifying stint, Engel offered a different perspective. “In the beginning, we all strayed from the ideal line, but I adapted quickly to maintain pace,” Engel recounted. “Mirko didn’t change his approach, yet he remained fast, indicating his competitiveness for the following race despite the extra weight.”
Speculation emerged that Bortolotti may have intentionally eased off in the second race to secure a lower finish and thereby limit additional weight for the concluding race at Hockenheim. However, conflicting reports suggest he was genuinely pushing the limits of his vehicle, as evidenced by a minor error that saw him run wide during his out-lap.
Looking Ahead
The conversation surrounding the BoP categorization and its impact on Bortolotti’s performance is likely to continue as the DTM approaches its crucial finale on October 19-20. With Bortolotti now ahead in the points standings, all eyes will be on his strategies and performance in the final races of the season.
Source
www.autosport.com