Last year, 38‑year‑old Nick Catsburg did not take part in the 24 Hours of the Nürburgring. This year, however, he is back. Teaming up with Nick Yelloly and Marco Mapelli, the trio is setting the bar high with the Lamborghini Huracán GT3 EVO2 under the banner of ABT Motorsport. In addition, the Dutchman returns to IMSA competition with Corvette Racing by Pratt Miller Motorsports, driving the Chevrolet Corvette Z06 GT3.R.

Eyes on Triple Glory at the Ring

For the experienced driver, the Nürburgring is familiar territory. With victories in 2020 in the Rowe Racing BMW M4 GT3 and in 2023 in the Frikadelli Racing Ferrari 296 GT3, the goal for this year remains unchanged: to win.

“That has to be the goal, of course,” Catsburg tells GT REPORT. “We simply have a very strong team and I think we also have a good car. I’m with great teammates alongside me, Mapelli is obviously a Lamborghini specialist. And with Nick [Yelloly] I’ve already won the race.”

His teammate Nick Yelloly, whom we spoke to in an earlier article, shares the same ambition. “It’s about time to execute it,” he said.

The team has their eyes set on victory.

The current IMSA driver is anything but allergic to learning a new car. As mentioned, he has previously raced BMW and Ferrari machinery. This year, he competes in IMSA with the Chevrolet Corvette Z06 GT3.R, while he will take on the 24 Hours of the Nürburgring in the outgoing Lamborghini Huracán GT3 EVO2.

“It actually feels pretty good,” he says about his first impression of the Lamborghini. “I really think we’ll have the pace.”

Former teammate key to joining ABT Motorsport

“One of my former teammates is now team principal here,” Catsburg explains why he chose ABT Motorsport for the iconic endurance race.

He is referring to 2011 DTM champion Martin Tomczyk. The two were teammates in 2018–2019, driving the #81 BMW M8 GTE in the FIA Word Endurance Championship.

“That was a very easy connection. When I realized the calendar wasn’t going to clash this year, you start reaching out. Then you look at where you’d most like to drive. I really liked the idea of this team, with these teammates,” Catsburg says with a proud smile about how the deal came together. “It’s super cool that I get this opportunity.”

Short Preparations

Preparation for the 24‑hour race has been shorter than hoped due to the extreme weather during NLS1. “The weather really didn’t help. We managed four laps in the dry,” Catsburg explains. “It’s obviously not ideal with a new car.”

Still, the successful driver remains optimistic. “But it’s good enough to make a serious push for the win.”

Regarding preparation in general, he is clear: “You do that by running a few NLS races, maybe a test day, and preparing for what can happen in the race. We need to make sure we’re fully up to date with the rules again. The track has had some updates. You just need to get into a rhythm before going into the race.”

The fact that the current Lamborghini car is not a new face at the Nordschleife also helps, according to the ABT Motorsport driver. “Of course you make small tweaks to the car, but the car has done this race several times already,” he adds, explaining where the biggest advantage lies.