French racer Romain Grosjean offered fans an intimate exploration of the highly anticipated Lamborghini SC63 hybrid, ahead of its inaugural appearance on U.S. soil.
On the practice day for the 2024 Mobil 1 12 Hours of Sebring, Grosjean took some time to provide motorsport journalist Marshall Pruett with an exclusive look at Lamborghini’s latest hybrid race car.
This week marks Grosjean’s debut behind the wheel of the SC63, alongside teammates Matteo Cairoli and Andrea Caldarelli.
Lamborghini has collaborated closely with the former Formula One driver and current IndyCar competitor to develop a hybrid machine capable of propelling the brand to the forefront of closed-wheel racing in both the IMSA and WEC championships.
Under the hood, the Lamborghini SC63 boasts Squadra Corse’s first-ever competition engine, a 3.8-liter twin-turbo V-8 coupled with an electric motor powering the rear axle.
In typical driver fashion, Grosjean approached the technical details of the engine with a touch of humor. “I just drive it,” he chuckled. “I don’t know what it is. I just say that I need more power; that’s what I do.”
The primary objective for the SC63’s U.S. debut is to complete the race. Each lap, hour, and driver change provides Lamborghini with valuable experience and data as they aim to challenge at the pinnacle of endurance racing in the WEC and IMSA.
“I think finishing the 12 hours of Sebring is the number one priority,” Grosjean emphasized. “If we can finish the 12 Hours of Sebring, we know that we can finish the 24 hours of Le Mans because that track is something else. I’m not even sure you can call it a race track. I mean, I love it, but bloody hell, it is bumpy.” Grosjean highlighted the importance of addressing the track’s bumps as a key area for the team to focus on.
Cairoli secured the SC63’s 14th position out of a total of 53 teams, clocking the eighth-fastest lap time at 1:53:574. The SC63 will start the 72nd running of the 12 Hours at Sebring from the highest starting spot for a Lamborghini this year.
Earlier this month, the WEC No. 63 crew of Mirko Bortolotti, Daniil Kvyat, and Edoardo Mortara finished 15th in the Qatar 1812KM at Lusail International Circuit, setting a promising precedent for the SC63’s U.S. debut.
Expressing his enthusiasm for the project, Grosjean commended teammate Caldarelli for his significant contributions to the car’s development. “He is the man who has been doing most of the development since day one, working hard with Lamborghini. A lot of kudos to him for making that car the way it is.”
Fans can catch Caldarelli, Grosjean, and Cairoli in action aboard the SC63 tomorrow by streaming the race on IMSA TV and the Peacock App, with the event scheduled to start just after 9:30 a.m. EST and conclude around 10:00 p.m.
