Mirko Bortolotti heads into the 2026 DTM season facing one of the biggest challenges of his career, as he balances optimism with realism while developing Lamborghini’s all-new Temerario GT3.
Speaking ahead of the season opener at the Red Bull Ring, where pre-season testing has already taken place, Bortolotti outlined the scale of the task facing both driver and team as they begin a new chapter with Grasser Racing Team.
A return to familiar ground
Returning to GRT, a squad he considers close to home, Bortolotti enters a new phase with a familiar environment but an entirely new car.
“It feels pretty good. But I have to say, it’s never really stopped. We worked together last year too; I raced alongside Gottfried [Grasser] in another series, GT World,” he said.
“It might not have been the most successful year for us last year, but we won the most important race of all, the 24 Hours of Spa. From that perspective, it was a brilliant race and a brilliant year too, in that respect.”
“As for the DTM, yes, we had our debut season here together in 2022, had a very strong year, and fought right to the end there as well. In the end, we finished fourth. But, yes, I mean, we know each other very well.”
“I think the team has established itself more and more over the years and has now built up a very, very good foundation in the DTM as well.”
That foundation now faces a significant test with the introduction of a completely new GT3 challenger.
Starting from scratch with the Temerario
The Lamborghini Temerario GT3 represents a full reset for the team. Bortolotti emphasised just how different the car feels compared to the Huracán.
“Only time will tell what sets it apart. It’s too early to say at this stage. The car is brand new,” he stated. “It’s completely different; it feels completely different. There’s absolutely nothing about it that reminds me of the Huracán. In that sense, it’s a major adjustment for the team and for us drivers.”
“The only thing I can say so far is that it’s very reliable. It’s completed two major races to date. One was at Sebring, where I wasn’t on the grid.”
“The car completed the distance there. That was the minimum target, but it was achieved. And at Paul-Ricard last week, we also finished without any technical issues.”
“So I believe reliability has been there so far. That was our main goal. But we all know that in the DTM, it’s all about performance. And if you don’t have the performance, you won’t be successful.”
Development over immediate results
Rather than chasing instant success, Bortolotti has made development the clear priority at the start of the season.
“That’s why I believe we’ve got a lot of work ahead of us,” he admitted. “But I’m also happy to take on this challenge. Together with the team, together with the brand.”
“Just as was the case twelve years ago with the Huracán. It’s simply a process we have to go through now. And I hope we can get up to speed as quickly as possible.”
“Of course, we’ve got a completely new car on the grid. A bit of development work will be needed, especially at the start, to get up to speed.”
“I think time is our biggest limiting factor at the moment. I hope we can get the car up to pace as quickly as possible. From there, I believe anything will be possible.”
Managing expectations for 2026
Despite his experience and past success, Bortolotti has taken a realistic view of what lies ahead, particularly in the opening rounds of the 2026 DTM season.
“Whether it’s realistic or not, I think it’s far too early to talk about that now. We need to make the most of today.”
“The DTM is very limited when it comes to testing opportunities. That’s why we really need to make the most of every lap and ensure we learn as much as possible. And continue to develop the car as quickly as possible, because there’s still a lot of work ahead of us.”
“It wouldn’t be fair or right to say right now what will be possible this year. I think time will tell. But based on my gut feeling, even looking back at the first few months, including the race we had in France a few days ago, I don’t think we’ll be up there at the front, especially not at the start.”
“So I do think it will be difficult, especially at the start of the season.”
A long-term project begins
Bortolotti’s outlook reflects a driver fully aware of the scale of the challenge ahead. While immediate results may be unlikely, the long-term potential of the project remains clear.
With a strong relationship inside the team and a willingness to embrace the development process, Bortolotti enters 2026 not just as a contender, but as a key figure in shaping Lamborghini’s future in the DTM.
The results may take time, but the foundations are already being laid.
