Daniil Kvyat on final Lamborghini race: Gave my all to project
In the final, poetic act of a challenging chapter, Daniil Kvyat guided the Lamborghini SC63 to a hard-fought fourth-place finish in the season-ending IMSA race, a performance he aptly dubbed a 'good last dance' for a project into which he poured his entire being. This wasn't merely another race; it was the culmination of a journey marked by perseverance, a testament to the human spirit that defines elite motorsport.The 'Petit Le Mans' at Road Atlanta serves as a grueling ten-hour test of man and machine, a stage where resilience is as crucial as raw speed, and Kvyat, alongside teammates Edoardo Mortara and Romain Grosjean, showcased exactly that, pushing the vibrant Italian hypercar to its absolute limits in a bittersweet farewell. Lamborghini's strategic withdrawal from the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, following its earlier exit from the World Endurance Championship (WEC), casts a shadow over the result, a poignant reminder of the volatile commercial and competitive landscapes that shape this sport.For Kvyat, the Russian driver whose career has been a rollercoaster of Formula 1 highs and subsequent searches for a competitive home, this Lamborghini program represented more than just a seat; it was a passion project, a chance to help build something from the ground up. His post-race reflection—'I gave my all to this project'—echoes the sentiment of every athlete who has ever faced a premature ending, the particular sting of a journey cut short just as the pieces begin to fall into place and 'the situation started to improve.' This narrative of potential unfulfilled due to corporate realignment is a recurring theme in modern racing, where manufacturer programs costing tens of millions can be launched or shelved based on global economic headwinds and shifting marketing priorities. The SC63, Lamborghini's bold foray into the top prototype category known as GTP, was always a statement of ambition, a scarlet bull from Sant'Agata charging into a field dominated by established giants like Porsche, Cadillac, and BMW.Its development year was, as expected, fraught with the typical teething problems of a new car—reliability niggles, aerodynamic inefficiencies, and the relentless pursuit of a balanced setup. To finish the program with a strong, points-scoring run at one of the world's most demanding endurance events is a credit to the drivers and the hundreds of engineers and mechanics whose livelihoods are now in flux.Kvyat's career trajectory itself provides a rich subtext; from the pressure-cooker environment of Red Bull Racing in F1, where he was famously swapped with Max Verstappen, to his role as a development driver for Ferrari and Alpine, he has continually reinvented himself as a versatile and valuable asset in the paddock. This Lamborghini endeavor allowed him to channel that experience into a leadership role, mentoring and collaborating within the team.His gratitude towards Mortara, a seasoned GT ace, and Grosjean, his former F1 rival known for his fiery passion, highlights the profound camaraderie forged in the crucible of endurance racing, where success is inextricably linked to seamless teamwork and mutual trust over stints that blur into the night. Looking forward, Kvyat's 'A bientôt' (see you soon) is laden with the optimistic uncertainty of a true competitor.The sports car racing world, with its complex web of factory and customer teams across IMSA and WEC, still holds numerous doors, and a driver of his caliber, now with recent prototype experience, is a valuable commodity. The end of this Lamborghini chapter is not an epilogue for Kvyat but merely an intermission.His story, much like the race he just completed, is about enduring the long stints, navigating the traffic, and capitalizing when the next opportunity for a clear lap presents itself. The checkered flag may have fallen on the SC63, but for Daniil Kvyat, the race is far from over.
JA
Jamie Larson123k2 days ago
a strong finish for a program that ended too soon tbh such a shame
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JA
Jamie Lowe123k2 days ago
not sure all the hype is deserved tbh it's just fourth place smh
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