Grid penalty for ABT Lamborghini after red flag infringement in Top Qualifying

Red Bull Team ABT’s Mirko Bortolotti has been handed a significant grid penalty for failing to respect red flags during Friday’s Top Qualifying session for the 2025 ADAC RAVENOL 24h Nürburgring.

The #27 Lamborghini Huracán GT3 Evo, which had provisionally secured fifth on the grid, will now start the race from the back of start group 1 after stewards ruled that Bortolotti reacted too late to the red flags shown following Laurens Vanthoor’s crash at Aremberg.

The stewards determined that while the Italian eventually slowed after catching a slower car, he had not responded promptly enough to the flag signals. Although no dangerous situation occurred, the breach was confirmed by onboard video and GPS data. As a result, Bortolotti was penalised under Article 2.5.4.1 b) of Appendix H of the FIA International Sporting Code.

Alongside the grid drop, the decision also includes a suspension of Bortolotti’s DMSB Permit Nordschleife. However, this part of the penalty has been deferred and will only come into effect after the race, provided there are no further infringements.

Bortolotti took to social media to accept full responsibility, writing: “I made a mistake today – no excuses. I spotted the red flag too late and reacted too slow. Thankfully, no one was put at risk. I’ve already apologised to the team, my teammates, and especially the marshals. I respect the call and take full responsibility. Head down now – all focus on the race.”

Despite the setback, the Red Bull Team ABT Lamborghini remains in the fight and will take the start of the 24-hour race on Saturday afternoon from deep in the field.