Welcome to ABT Sportsline, Mirko! How does that sound to you?
Very good! I’m happy to be part of this team now and can hardly wait to open a new chapter. Everyone knows the history and tradition that ABT Sportsline has in the DTM. In the last three years, we have been fighting for the DTM title head-to-head until the last day of the season – that’s anything but a given. The quality is extremely high, and it’s great that we will now be attacking together.
You just said it: you have been opponents for the past three years. How does it feel to now be joining forces in the DTM?
Those were three intense years of hard but always fair fights. I was very well received by everyone, and you can feel the will and determination to succeed together in every single team member. That is exactly my mentality too.
What were your first impressions when you visited Kempten?
I was at ABT in Kempten for the first time in February and was immediately impressed. It was very exciting to get to know the world of ABT better – not only in motorsport, but also in the areas of road vehicles and tuning. It’s really impressive what has been built up here at ABT over generations. It is a great honour for me to represent ABT on the DTM stage.
You have changed teams, but your teammate remains the same ...
I can’t get rid of Nicki Thiim – no matter where I go, he’s always with me! All jokes aside, 2024 was a great year with Nicki. We worked very well together, pushed in the same direction and helped the team move forward – which is essential in a series like the DTM. I’m happy to have him back at my side. I couldn’t have wished for a better teammate.
Thanks to the move to ABT Sportsline, you are now also part of the Red Bull family again. How does that feel?
I have a lot to thank Red Bull for in my career. We all know how difficult and complex motorsport can be. Red Bull gave me the opportunity to get started in international single-seater racing back in the day. I had a successful rookie season in FIA Formula 2 and was then called up for the Formula One young driver tests for Toro Rosso. To be part of this family again 16 years later is a great story.
How did you feel when you saw the number 1 on your DTM car for the first time?
It’s the reward for hard work and a great privilege. The number 1 has a special significance for me – I didn’t hesitate for a second to take it. To see it physically on the car for the first time was an amazing moment.
Has winning the title increased your popularity?
It’s hard to say, but to be honest, I’m not that interested. My daily focus is on doing the best I can for my brand and my team and continuing to be successful on the track. The title is confirmation that good work doesn’t go unnoticed and that it pays off sooner or later. Besides, it was an incredible feeling to have won this title with Lamborghini. Hearing all the time that you could never be a DTM champion with an Italian brand or that a Bortolotti wouldn’t make it, were fantastic motivators. I love being underestimated.
Can you promise the many ABT fans to finally bring the DTM title back to Kempten?
Our expectations are high, but our focus is on making step-by-step progress. Promising the fans the DTM title would be irresponsible – and also the wrong approach. What I can say is that over the years people have seen what ABT Sportsline is capable of – and what Mirko Bortolotti is capable of. We have all the ingredients to be successful together, but we also know how demanding a DTM season is. That’s why I’m focusing on working with the team day in and day out – especially since the Lamborghini is a new DTM car for ABT Sportsline.
What does the DTM champion actually do in his free time?
Prepare to win the next race – mainly.
Is there anything in the world of Red Bull that you would like to try out?
The world of Red Bull is unbelievably diverse and exciting. For example, I am a huge football fan – if the opportunity arises, I would love to watch a game in the stadium in Leipzig or Salzburg. But that’s not all: I also know my fellow countryman Dario Costa and have great respect for the Flying Bulls. And of course there are many other exciting sports or activities that I would like to try out if time permits.
Which DTM race are you looking forward to the most?
There are the same number of points to be won at every race, so I’m looking forward to every one of them! If I had to name two, it would be the Norisring and the Red Bull Ring. The Norisring because of the unique backdrop of the city street circuit, and the Red Bull Ring because, as an Austrian by choice, it’s a bit of a home race for me. But we’re taking it one race at a time and I’m looking forward to experiencing the numerous DTM fans up close again soon.
Interesting facts about Mirko Bortolotti
Start number: 1
Date of birth: 10 January 1990
Place of birth: Trento (Italy)
Place of residence: Vienna (Austria)
Hobbies: sport, football, cycling, sim racing
Fitness: focus on cardio (cycling, running), recently also padel tennis
Favourite food: pasta
Favourite drink: Red Bull White Edition
Motto: Don’t dream your life, live your dream!
Life’s dream: just be happy
Dream car from ABT Sportsline: RS 6 Legacy Edition
Career aspiration as a child: racing driver or professional footballer
Favourite sport: football
Favourite club: AC Milan
Idols as a child: Mika Häkkinen and Ayrton Senna
Favourite DTM racetrack: Norisring
Favourite racetrack outside of the DTM: Nürburgring-Nordschleife, Mugello
Best corner in the world: Porsche corners at Le Mans
Greatest success in motor racing: DTM champion
Race on the bucket list: Bathurst 1000 (Supercars)