Italian manufacturer Lamborghini is preparing for the biggest programme in its sportscar racing history, having never previously fielded a prototype like the Ligier-chassised SC63 machine.
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But the project received a major setback just a few weeks into the start of testing, when Bortolotti crashed the car heavily at Paul Ricard, rendering heavy damage to the tub.
Lamborghini has since managed to put significant mileage on a new chassis, completing two full tests at Almeria and Jerez in Spain, and the car is now being shipped to the US for the IMSA-sanctioned test at Daytona next month.
Grosjean was one of the drivers who put the SC63 LMDh through its paces since testing resumed in Spain and was pleasantly surprised with how it ran without encountering any major technical issues – especially with the common electrical hybrid system.
The Frenchman told Autosport: “The testing went really, really well, it was very impressive with how smoothly it went.
“With the hybrid, being a year later [than the opposition] we haven’t had any issues – touch wood – and it’s been a good surprise, honestly, to all of us that we’ve been running so well with a new car. I hope the next tests go as well as the last one!
“We will take part in the group test on 6/7 December at Daytona with the other manufacturers so that should give us a good idea of where we are.”
Source: Autosport