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Last season, Mirko Bortolotti was a fierce competitor, but for 2025, he has secured the prestigious number one slot with Team Abt in the DTM series after clinching the championship title. This year marks a significant transition as Abt shifts from its long-term partnership with Audi to fielding Lamborghini vehicles.
The team has already taken note of Bortolotti’s contributions, with sporting director Martin Tomczyk highlighting the positive impact he has made in a short period. Tomczyk, a DTM champion himself in 2011, expressed his admiration for Bortolotti’s work ethic and dedication. “He has invested an incredible amount of time with us, and his commitment is evident in everything he does,” Tomczyk shared with Motorsport.com’s affiliate, Motorsport-Total. “His level of self-demand is exceptional, beginning with his thorough preparation for tests, during the tests, and in subsequent evaluations.”
Moreover, Tomczyk emphasized that Bortolotti does not require external motivation, stating, “His standards are incredibly high, which drives him to excel.” The sporting director noted the Italian racer’s remarkable capacity for assessing test elements and providing valuable feedback to the engineering team, which is critical for sustained success in motorsport. Tomczyk believes that these qualities have made Bortolotti a championship contender since he became a full-time participant in DTM in 2022.
“From my experience, he is one of the drivers with the fewest mistakes in the DTM,” Tomczyk remarked. “While I cannot provide exact statistics, it is clear that his meticulous approach pays off.”
Mirko Bortolotti, Team Abt
Photo by: Abt Sportsline
Bortolotti’s impressive track record is reflected in his qualifying performance, securing 10 top-three finishes in 16 races in 2024.
Bortolotti’s Enthusiasm for Team Abt
Reflecting on his transition to Team Abt after two years with SSR Performance, Bortolotti shared that his initial experiences have been overwhelmingly positive. “The first weeks working together have been great, and I feel very optimistic,” he stated. Having more experience with Lamborghini cars than his new team, which previously campaigned the Huracan at the Nordschleife for two years, Bortolotti expressed admiration for his new teammates. “From the outset, I sensed that the crew is highly experienced and knows the car thoroughly, which I find very impressive,” he said.
Bortolotti is eager to leverage his past experiences for the team’s benefit, although he humbly refrained from proclaiming himself as a leader within the squad. “Abt has considerable expertise, and while I bring certain insights, we support one another and work collaboratively to enhance our performance,” he remarked.
When comparing his new environment to his previous team, Bortolotti acknowledged that it’s still early to draw definitive conclusions. However, he did note an exciting development: he has reunited with Red Bull, given the energy drink giant’s sponsorship of the Abt team.
Source
www.motorsport.com