Abt indicators Thiim to race Lamborghini for Nurburgring 24 Hours

Regardless of persevering with with Audi for the DTM, Abt introduced in February that it would enter the 24 Hours for the first time since 2017 with a Lamborghini GT3 EVO2 and contest a number of rounds of the Nordschleife-based Nurburgring Endurance Sequence (NLS) in preparation.

It completed eighth in final weekend’s opening NLS spherical with Lamborghini manufacturing facility driver Marco Mapelli and van der Linde, who has remained contracted to Abt after electing not to continue as an Audi works driver and can proceed to race Abt-run Audis within the DTM alongside his function as a System E reserve.

As anticipated, two-time Nurburgring 24 Hours victor van der Linde will take his place within the lineup alongside Mapelli, newly-appointed Lambo manufacturing facility driver Jordan Pepper and Thiim, who was racing a NorthWest Racing Aston Martin at Sebring final weekend within the World Endurance Championship season opener.

It can mark 2013 occasion winner Thiim’s first outing in a Lamborghini since his DTM season was curtailed after two rounds of the 2022 marketing campaign when his T3 Motorsport squad withdrew.

Two-time WEC GTE Professional champion Thiim stated: “After the primary assembly with my team-mates and the entire workforce, I’m very excited and assured – that is going to be an important venture.

“Representing the Lamborghini and ABT manufacturers makes me very proud. My thanks additionally goes to Aston Martin, who made it potential for me to take part with none purple tape.”

Reflecting on his first expertise within the Lamborghini, Van der Linde stated: “The primary impressions with the automotive on the Nordschleife have been very Positive. I feel we’ve got a whole lot of potential.

“My team-mates are nice, I already know a number of the mechanics from the DTM and that’s one more reason why I already really feel completely at house.

“I feel with this sturdy squad within the cockpit and within the pits we are able to obtain so much.”

Abt boss Thomas Biermaier added: “We’re delighted that we’ve got signed such a robust workforce for ABT’s comeback on the 24-hour race.

“The 4 guys not solely have a whole lot of expertise in GT3 racing, on the Nordschleife and to some extent within the Lamborghini, but in addition get on very effectively with one another – that’s a massively necessary issue, particularly on this race.”