Lamborghini’s Sandy Mitchell takes the next big step in his career as a professional racing driver this weekend.
And there could be no more fitting track than Monza – home of the F1 Italian Grand Prix – for the Forfar 23-year-old to tackle the opening round of Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe.
Mitchell, the 2020 British GT champion, will partner fellow Lamborghini factory drivers, Italian Marco Mapelli and Frenchman Franck Perera in the No. 6 Huracan GT3 Evo2 prepared by the California-based K-PAX Racing team.
The Monza three-hour event is the first outing as part of a full Pro-class line-up for the young sportscar star.
We're just a few days away from the opening weekend of the @GTWorldChEu season, where we'll race the amazing @LamborghiniSC Huracán GT3 EVO2 at @Autodromo_Monza.
Here are the thoughts of @MARCOMAPELLI, @franck_perera, and @SMitchellRacing, ahead of the meeting!#LamborghiniSC pic.twitter.com/782VwPqXMn
— K-PAX Racing (@KPAXracing) April 19, 2023
“I’ve worked hard to get a seat in an all-Pro driver line-up,” said Mitchell, who heads to Italy having impressed during the official two-day DTM test with Lamborghini at the Red Bull Ring in Austria last weekend.
“I know Marco and Franck and get on well with them, so I have no doubt we’ll work well together.
“We’ve had successful test sessions with the car and team, and I know we’re all looking forward to racing at Monza.
“All three of us are good team players, so that will be a strength of ours to try and get the best out of the Lamborghini.”
US outfit K-PAX Racing clinched three titles in Fanatec GT World Challenge America last season, locking up back-to-back drivers’, teams’ and manufacturers’ championship honours in dominant fashion.
It included a remarkable 10-month, 10-round unbeaten streak, the longest in series history.
Fanatical home support for Sandy Mitchell team at Monza
Mitchell heads into the five-round European series — which includes a six-hour race at Paul Ricard in France, the iconic Spa 24-Hours in Belgium, and two three-hour races at the Nurburgring and Barcelona — knowing Monza will attract huge support for the Lamborghini team.
“Not only is Monza the only Italian round of the GT World Challenge Europe, but this year marks the 60th anniversary of Lamborghini,” said the Black Bull Whisky-backed ace.
“I have no doubt there will be a big support for us this weekend.
“I’ve raced at Monza before, and to drive a Lamborghini at what is acknowledged as ‘The Temple of Speed’ is a fantastic experience.
“Everyone at K-PAX Racing has been super welcoming, and we’ve got excellent mechanics and engineers.
“Together we’re all striving to ensure we have the fastest and most reliable car on the grid this weekend.
“My team-mates have lots of experience and won races overall at this level, so I don’t see why we can’t be aiming for that this year.”
