Lamborghini Downshifts To Karts With New Driver Development Program

Lamborghini doesn’t make anything smaller than the Huracan. It never really has (give or take a couple of inches here or there on preceding models), and likely never will. But the Raging Bull emblem is running on much smaller vehicles now.

No, the Bolognese supercar manufacturer isn’t building karts, but it has launched its first Kart Drivers Program. The initiative joins the Lamborghini’s Squadra Corse racing division as its fourth such driver development program.

But where the factory’s existing Formula Junior, Young Drivers and GT3 Junior programs place drivers in Formula 4, Super Trofeo and GT3 racing, respectively, the new karting program aims to get aspiring racing driver earlier in their careers – and encourage them to dedicate themselves to sports car racing instead of open wheels.

The program is run in conjunction with DR Racing Kart, the outfit run by five-time world karting champion Danilo Rossi, who serves as Lambo’s talent scout. The first class has already been formed with Muiz Gafar from Malaysia and Lithuania’s Justas Jonusis (both age 14) and Italian drivers Christopher Zani (20) and Mauro Simoni (29).

Their first day of tutelage took place last month at the Adria International Raceway, and included theory classes, technical demonstrations, ride-along laps in the Huracan Super Trofeo and track sessions on the adjoining karting circuit. Factory driver Mirko Bortolotti, who drives the Huracan GT3 all the way up to the Blancpain GT Championship, was on hand to provide his expertise, as was Lamborghini’s racing chief (and longtime test driver) Giorgio Sanna.