The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Selection honour for youngster Mitchell
MOTORSPORT: Italian job for 18-year-old Letham driver
As he prepares to fire up his 190mph race car in anger at Silverstone this weekend, Angus teenager Sandy Mitchell has been announced as the latest addition to the coveted Lamborghini Squadra Corse GT3 junior programme.
The 18-year-old from Letham, near Forfar, is one of just two Brits selected to join the Italian marque’s 25-driver initiative which will see him take a significantly greater role in the development of Lamborghini’s racing machinery.
Mitchell is in action this weekend at the home of British motorsport for the latest round of the Blancpain GT Endurance Series in the Black Bull Whisky-backed Barwell Motorsport Lamborghini Huracan GT3.
He is the youngest talent selected for the Squadra Corse program alongside drivers from countries including Italy, the USA, China, Croatia, Finland, Holland, Argentina and Brazil and will aid race car development as well as having the chance to become an instructor with Lamborghini’s Accademia official driving school.
“Naturally I’m very excited to have been selected as a member of the Lamborghini Squadra Corse GT3 junior program, at what is the very start of my GT3 season driving the car,” said Mitchell, a member of the prestigious British Racing Drivers’ Club Rising Star scheme.
The teenager is also positively focused in delivering at the Northamptonshire circuit this weekend after a rare electrical gremlin deprived him of a chance to shine in the opening Blancpain Monza round alongside team- mates Italian Michele Beretta, 23, and 20-year-old Croatian Martin Kodric.
“Silverstone suits me, and I know it suits the car: we tested there last month and we were happy with what we achieved.
“I know the whole team will be firedup to deliver a strong performance and result this weekend, especially after the disappointment we all felt last time out at Monza.”
Barwell Motorsport commercial director Chris Needell said. “Right from the start Sandy has shown a maturity and calmness in his approach which belies his age and youthful looks.
“During qualifying at Monza, he not only set the fastest time in our car, but was also only a few tenths-of-a-second shy of the factory team’s superstar driver, Mirko Bortolotti.
“I think that made a lot of people sit up and take notice of his ability.”