At the end of another tough and challenging season, there’s no better feeling for a team manager then seeing your drivers lift the championship crown. For Luca Pirri, Team Principal of LP Racing, 2023 was a dream season with all three of the team’s Audi R8 LMS GT2s scoring podium finishes, while Henry Hassid and Anthony Beltoise took the outright and Pro-Am title.
The year was topped off by achieving the first ever podium and second-place finish for the stunning Maserati GT2 on the model’s global racing debut.
One of Europe’s top Pro drivers in his own right, we caught up with Luca to recap on a brilliant year ahead of the Christmas break:
LP Racing, Fanatec GT2 European Series Pro-Am champions – how does that sound and what does that title mean to you as Team Principal?
I am very happy to achieve this result, which is the continuation of the great work we did in the previous years. In 2022 we won the Am title and this year the Pro-Am, next step maybe we move up to GT World Challenge?!
It was the closest title fight in the series’ short history, with Henry and Anthony seizing the title by a single point at the final round. How confident were you that your guys could take the crown?
We loved how intense it has been! It is proof of how strong the competition is in Fanatec GT2, so kudos to both the KTM and Audi line ups. But in the end, we were the more consistent and our pole positions made the difference.
It’s been a fantastic last two seasons for the team, with the 2023 Pro-Am title following Henry’s 2022 Am title. What do you think has been the secret to the team’s success?
I want to thank the great team that works with us. And a special mention to Emanuele Fiorini, who took over the job of head mechanic with great passion and full commitment. He did an amazing job and all the team has worked marvelously together.
LP Racing had an 2023 outstanding season across the team’s three-car entry, with Stephane Ratel and Mattia di Giusto coming close to taking two second places, and Pierre Kaffer and Michael Doppelmayr notching up three pole positions and two further podiums. You must be pleased with how those two new driver pairings have developed in their first year?
Our number of pole positions is probably the thing that makes me most proud this season, as it proves that our cars can all be quick and that we give maximum attention to each of our drivers.
I think that Michael Doppelmeyr had an amazing year of growth thanks to the precious help of Pierre Kaffer, who helped the LP Racing team shine with several of those pole positions.
Mattia di Giusto also had a great first season in Europe whilst learning new circuits, he did a great job racing with Stephane [Ratel] and together they managed to clinch two precious podiums during a season where we had an incredible level of Pro Am drivers. I am very proud of them.
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You finished up the season with something special at Circuit Paul Ricard – giving the Maserati GT2 its global racing debut alongside Leonardo Gorini. How did it feel to make history in France?
It was a great honor to be chosen to bring back Maserati to racing, and doing it with a podium was the fruition of a dream that started 18 years ago when I raced in Zhuhai with the Maserati MC12. Being Team Principal and having raced both the MC12 and now the GT2 makes a very unique story.
You and Leonardo managed to give the car an historic debut with a sensational second-place finish. How was the Maserati GT2 to drive?
I was very happy to drive with Leonardo, who was finally able to prove his true potential by scoring the first ever Pro-Am pole position of his career and he did it in style at the wheel of this brand new Maserati GT2. Leo was also leading his stint, he will be a strong title contender for 2024.
Is it possible we will see an LP Racing Maserati on the grid full-time in 2024?
Our intention is to bring two Maserati GT2s to the grid for the start of 2024 season and we want to bring home some great results for the house of the Trident.
What was the highlight of your season overall?
Our 1-2-3 in Portimão! Filling the podium with all your cars is the best feeling for a Team Principal. It was amazing to see all our drivers happy on the podium and it was great recognition for all our team.
Will the team be back to defend the Pro-Am title in 2024?
We will definitely be back and we will fight hard to keep the #1 on our car also in 2025.
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