DTM leader Mirko Bortolotti now gives more insight into how he is feeling after his violent crash with Lamborghini’s LMDh prototype – and what he expects at the Sachsenring
How is DTM leader Mirko Bortolotti doing after his serious LMDh test accident in Le Castellet around a fortnight ago just days before the opening round of the DTM weekend at the Sachsenring after there was even talk of a broken leg, now gives more details about the crash in the south of France – and its consequences.
“I got out of the car on my own and without help,” “Then I was taken to the medical centre for a routine check-up and then released.”
Accidents like this are “part of the job”, says Bortolotti. “Especially when you are in the development phase of a new car, things like this can happen. And they will probably happen in the future. That’s the risk we expose ourselves to as drivers. “
Bortolotti confirms again: Sachsenring start not in danger
A statement that doesn’t sound like a driving error led to the accident with the new Le Mans prototype SC63, but a technical ailment due to the early development phase. Details are not known, however, as Lamborghini does not provide any information on the accident, which took place during a private test.
Speculation that Bortolotti might miss the Sachsenring races due to the consequences of the accident, which would be a heavy damper on the DTM title fight for the leader with three weekends to go, is dismissed by the 33-year-old.
“I’m not the type to look back a lot at what happened,” says Bortolotti. “You have to focus on the present and on the next events – and what’s ahead. Fortunately, everything is good and I’m looking forward to the weekend. “
Bortolotti admits: Currently not completely pain-free
Bortolotti, who visually makes a good impression at the DTM video press conference, then admits that he didn’t get away from the crash without any scrapes
Gros crash de la Lamborghini SC63 en test au Paul Ricard !
Only endurance pic.twitter.com/Y36EB8ryfl– Alexandre (@___Alex_g_) August 24, 2023
When asked if he has any pain in his left leg, he first says, “no pain at all”, but then adds, “Of course you don’t want to have an accident like that – I have a few bruises and it hurts a bit. I’d be lying otherwise – and I’m not that kind of guy. Of course, I still feel some pain here and there, but apart from that, everything is okay.”
Incidentally, a Lamborghini spokesman wouldn’t give a specific answer to the same question a week ago, saying, “We don’t give details regarding the drivers who took part in the last test. “
Bortolotti expects difficult weekend
In the championship, Bortolotti leads by seven points over Manthey EMA driver Thomas Preining after his second win of the season at the Lausitzring. And is now expecting a “difficult weekend”, especially in Saturday’s race, where he will have 20 kilograms of success ballast on board
“And the characteristics of the track might not be the best for us either, even though we looked good there in the past,” the SSR Lamborghini driver points to strong performances in the ADAC GT Masters. “Everything has to fit if we want to be competitive. But that’s always the case in the DTM.”
Which brand does he see ahead? “I don’t really want to commit to one manufacturer, but if I take the past seasons in the GT Masters as a guide, Mercedes could be the one to beat,” answers Bortolotti, who also confirms the picture from last Thursday’s private test, when four Mercedes-AMG GT3s were in the lead.
What impact did the missed Sachsenring test have?
A test where almost all teams were at the start – only Bortolotti was not in the SSR Lamborghini and had Lamborghini factory driver Sandy Mitchell stand in for him, which caused further speculation about his state of health.
What impact did his absence have? “Zero, I would say,” replied the DTM leader. “I even heard that the test wasn’t even completely dry. The team was there. It was always planned that way, because we also had other priorities in the factory that we have to follow up.”
In fact, Bortolotti says he sat in the LMDh simulator to push development. “And even if the accident at Paul Ricard hadn’t happened, I would have tested at Spa,” he says, referring to the LMDh test that was cancelled because the car was scrap. When it comes to the DTM, however, he is clear: “I don’t expect to be at a great disadvantage. “
