Lambo factory drive for Keen

Phil Keen admits he thought he was

“a bit old” to be given the call-up to become a Lamborghini factory driver, which was confirmed last week.

The 34-year-old has been a regular in British GT in recent years, finishing as championship runner-up with Jon Minshaw in each of the past three seasons, and raced for the de facto works Lamborghini team, Grasser Racing, in the Blancpain GT Series Endurance Cup this season.

Keen and former GP2 racer Franck

Perera will join 2017 Blancpain Endurance champions Mirko Bortolotti and Andrea Caldarelli, Marco Mapelli and Giovanni Venturini on Lamborghini’s driver roster, and completed a three-day Pirelli tyre test for the marque last week.

“It was a little bit unexpected, I never really thought about it to be honest!” he told Autosport.

“There are lots of quick drivers out there. I thought ‘I’m old now’ and because of my age, I didn’t think I would be considered

– 10 years ago maybe, but you just assume you’re a bit old now.

“It was a pleasant surprise, but at the same time I’m looking forward to learning and moving forward with Lamborghini.”

Keen hopes to remain in British GT next year, but has also set his sights on a return to the Daytona 24 Hours, which he contested as the winner of the Sunoco Challenge in 2015.

“They’re very keen to have me in the States for the Michelin test in December and that’s something I’m really going to push for,” he added.“i really enjoyed my time in the States.”