По просьбе Мирко Бортолотти и для наших возможных англоязычных читателей публикуем англоязычную версию интервью.

По просьбе Мирко Бортолотти и для наших возможных англоязычных читателей FunFormula публикует англоязычную версию интервью с гонщиком.

At the request of Mirko Bortolotti and for our possible English-speaking readers FunFormula publishes an English version of interview with him.

— Hello! First question. Your season started very well with third position in 24H Dubai race and win at Daytona in GTD class. What are you feeling?

— Fantastic. It’s been a great start with the Pole Position and Podium finish at the 24 Hours of Dubai as well as the phenomenal win at Daytona. It‘s been very special for me to take Lamborghini‘s first 24 Hour race win at such an important race like Daytona.

— In Dubai everything looked like you could finished higher.

— Yes that’s true. It’s a shame for the 3 punctures we suffered at the beginning of the race but that’s racing.

— Can you compare both Dubai and Daytona races. What are the main differences between them?

— Dubai is a crazy race in terms of traffic. With so many cars on track it’a a very tough race as you can’t afford to play it safe if you want to win it. Daytona is basically similar but having the prototypes on track means that the traffic comes from behind. In both races strategy plays an important role, but with the high level of competition you’re forced to push from the start to the finish if you want to win.

— I looked on entry list for 12 Hours of Sebring tests and didn\’t see Grasser Racing Team. Team decided to miss this race or miss tests?

— Due to the fact that we have a very busy european season ahead of us, the team decided to skip Sebring in order to prepare better in Europe. I hope to be back in Sebring next year, as I really love the track and that race!

— It\’s shame. But you raced there last year and can describe this. Many drivers called it «12 hours race, but feels like 24 hour».  Is it so tough?

— It‘s a tough race, I confirm.

— After you crossed the line at Barcelona you felt very emotional. How much did endurance & overall title mean for you?

— It was very special to take the double title for Lamborghini in the toughest GT series in the world. All the hard work over the years paid off and it was a big success for us.

— In Russia we have quite a lot of fans of endurance racing.

— That’s great! I raced at Moscow raceway in 2013 and won there! I loved it.

— You raced there in Megan Trophy?

— Yes, correct.

— This year you will continue to racing in Blancpain series and ADAC GT Masters. And of course you will be run in this championships with Christian Engelhart and Andrea Caldarelli. How can you describe them?

— I‘m really looking forward to be back this year defending the titles in Blancpain and aiming high in adac gt Masters as well. I have two strong teammates and we work well together. We are a strong team.

— In Lamborghini you just racing driver or also participate in developing production cars?

— Mainly racing driver but I drive the production cars too to give feedback when I have the chance to. But I have a very busy racing/testing schedule plus other related events, so I’m not doing much road car work.

— And you tested Ferrari, Toro Rosso and Williams F1 cars. Tell about this experience.

— It’s been fantastic experiences for me. I learnt a lot and performed well. Every test day helped me improving as a driver and I can benefit from that now.

— You decided to move from open wheelers just after you won the title in FIA Formula 2 in 2011. Why did you move from this racing so early? Is it budget problems or you just found out cover wheels racing more likeable for you?

— I felt like it was time for a change for me. I wanted to be a professional driver and single seaters didn’t give me much guarantees. It was tough to get cockpits despite winning titles and testing in F1 as there were drivers with big budgets getting the drives. So I moved to GT’s and Touring Cars and I don’t regret it at all.