Matteo Cairoli jumped back in the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) for the last round of the 2024 season, the 8 Hours of Bahrain, at the wheel of the Lamborghini Huracan Evo2 GT3 of Iron Lynx. The Italian had finished his 2023 FIA WEC campaign on the international circuit of Al-Sakhir, ending his adventure with the Porsche 911 GTE tenth in the standings. For this seasonal debut in the LMGT3 class, Cairoli covered for Franck Perera alongside Claudio Schiavoni and Matteo Cressoni, with whom he already raced in the ELMS back in 2023, when they conquered the third place in the championship.
This year, Matteo is in the final phase of his first season as a Lamborghini Factory Driver both in the prototype program in IMSA, where he drivers the SC63, and at the wheel of the Huracan GT3 in the GT World Challenge Europe Endurance, alongside his LMP2 program in the European Le Mans Series with Proton-Iron Lynx.
The qualifying round, executed by gentleman drivers as per regulations, brought the #60 team to the last grid position. However, Schiavoni was able to gain immediately positions without making any mistakes. Cairoli’s first stint started with 5 hours and 32 minutes to go in 17th position, showcased his signature style with a series of record setting laps. The driver, born in 1996, was able to reach the sixth position after a 1 hour and 42 minutes stint.
Cairoli then gave the wheel to Cressoni and returned on track for the last stint of the race. The Lamborghini Squadra Corse official driver kept maintaining his incredible rhythm, conquering again the fastest LMGT3 lap – in 2:01.914, being the only driver able to break the 2’02” barrier – while aiming for the podium. With 23 minutes to go on the clock, the Italian was also able to try and overtake Dani Juncadella’s Corvette. However, the Spaniard was able to respond by reclaiming the third position, also thanks to his teammate Charlie Eastwood’s slipstream, and a higher top speed allowed by the Balance of Performance.
It was indeed a great result for the Cairoli/Schiavoni/Cressoni team, which ultimately crossed the finish line 4th, only a second behind the podium finishers, claiming also their best seasonal result. Matteo Cairoli only participated in this race and in the 24 Hours of Le Mans this year, but proved to be ready and fast as always also in the FIA WEC. Next on the Italian’s calendar will be the World Cup of Macao, where he will race, of course, with Lamborghini.
