The Lamborghini SC63 is the Italian marque’s very first hypercar and was unveiled in July 2023. It will lead the Italian firms debut in the top tier of endurance racing at the 92nd 24 Hours of Le Mans. A formidable challenge! “The SC63 is the most advanced racing car ever produced by Lamborghini,” explains Stephan Winkelmann, the company’s chairman. “The opportunity to compete in some of the biggest endurance races in the world with a hybrid prototype fits with our vision for the future of high-performance mobility.”

The SC63s immediately stand out with their straight lines, sharp silhouette and the Verde Mantis (green), Bianco Alpi (white) and Rosso Sangue (red) colours, all taken from the Lamborghini catalogue. The designers have even included a few details reminiscent of the Revuelto or the legendary Countach! The Bulls are entering the arena and wants people to notice!

Racking up experience

Le Mans is the first race where both the #19 and #63 SC63s will compete (the numbers were chosen in reference to 1963, the year Lamborghini was founded). Since the start of the season, one car has been competing in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship in the United States, and the other in the FIA WEC World Endurance Championship, but the two have never raced alongside one another before. 

In WEC, the SC63 has proven its reliability, taking two tenth-place finishes – at the Qatar 1812 km and the 6 Hours of Imola. However, it had to retire early at Spa-Francorchamps after problems with the rear-right suspension. Meanwhile, the car finished seventh at the 12 Hours of Sebring, its only IMSA outing so far. Again, this is encouraging in terms of reliability, given how rough the Florida track is. Now, the hypercar has to show its full potential in terms of performance.. “Our goal is to see the chequered flag, that’s our priority. When it comes to performance, we don’t really know where we stand compared to the others,” explains Matteo Cairoli, who drives the #19 SC63 alongside Romain Grosjean and Andrea Caldarelli. “We’ve made progress at each race and I think we’ll do so again at Le Mans. Finishing in the top 10 would be great.” Emmanuel Esnault, the team’s principal, born in Saint-Cosme-en-Vairais not far from Le Mans, confirms: “We’re up against some top-quality competitors, perhaps the finest line-up in history. If we avoid errors and minimise pit stops, we can look forward to a great result.”

Understandably, the aim of the team’s début is racking up experience. Seeing the two SC63s cross the finish line is the objective announced. But, as ever, anything can happen! “A new car can win on its Le Mans debut,” Romain Grosjean stated after his first laps at the wheel with the Hypercar in 2023. 

The showdown between manufacturers starts here. The verdict will be delivered on track, with the race to start at 16:00 on Saturday 15 June. This battle will also be the theme of the 24 Hours of Le Mans Show, which spectators at this year’s race will be able to enjoy at 23:30 on Saturday night. Electro duo Synapson will provide the musical backdrop to the dazzling display that combines drones, light, video and pyrotechnics.