After the fantastic 2021 season, in which Michele became the International GT Open Champion at the wheel of Vincenzo Sospiri Racing’s Lamborghini Hurracan GT3, it is time to discover the future.

In the GT Open you started (together with your partner and the team) being the favourite and you confirmed the prediction without hesitation.
“Prediction respected, even though it wasn’t easy. I would divide the season into two parts. During the test sessions and in the first two races (Paul Ricard and Spa) we worked and perfected the technical package, the feeling with the team and we improved all the components to perform in the best way. Later, after Spa, we had a good pace and speedup that allowed us to win the championship. This acceleration culminated in Monza, where I got the pole, and we took the title for granted. Everything worked out well, even the management of penalties, with whom we had to deal with every race, since we always got on the podium and, consequently, we accumulated penalty seconds to be discharged in the following races.”

Although the regulation provides for penalties for the first three positions, you have always been among the very first, you have won four races and you have reached the podium six times, out of a total of fourteen races. Not bad, isn’t it?
“We can’t complain. We were fast on all the racks and the worst weekend, when we performed below our standards, was the last one, in Barcelona. Fortunately, we needed a few points to win and we achieved the title in Race-1 without great difficulty. For this fantastic result, I thank the team, my partner, Frederik (Schandorff) and Lamborghini, for getting me ready to win.”

It shouldn’t be forgotten that a year ago you were crowned Champion of the Europen Le Mans Series, at the wheel of a Porsche 911 RSR GTE. With two such prestigious titles won one after the other, what goal do you set for 2022?
“For the 2022 season I have a certainty at the moment. I will race as a driver again with Lamborghini and we are outlining the program. I have been linked with Lamborghini for many years and this partnership is getting stronger and stronger, thanks to the good results we are achieving together. Thanks to this they will support me in 2022 again. When the program with Lamborghini will be official, I will be able to define also other commitments, no less important, which I care about, such as the 24 Hours of the Nurburgring.”

Lamborghini confirms to be your fundamental point.
“Yes. At the beginning of the 2021 season with Giorgio Sanna (Head of Motorsport of Lamborghini Automobili) we defined an agreement, according to which if I had won the GT International Open, Lamborghini would also have supported me in the 2022 season. I won and, with pleasure of both sides, we are planning the new season.”

You have been crowned as Italian GT Champion, then again in the European Le Mans Series and, finally, you are the reigning GT International Open champion. A remarkable curriculum in which clearly emerges a thing, you never stop in the championship in which you are the champion. Considering this, can you tell us which will be your new challenge?
“We have a range of possible engagements, from the GT World Challenge, both in Europe and in the USA, and the ADAC Master. These are some of the options. All very beautiful and exciting challenges, in which I will throw myself headlong and with the biggest commitment. I will certainly race together with Lamborghini in an important championship on the GT panorama.”

In the season that just ended, did you have any moment that you don’t remember with pleasure?
“Undoubtedly among the worst moments there are the 24 Hours of Spa, in which I retired immediately, and the last race of the season in the United States at Road Atlanta in the Petit Le Mans. In the last race I retired after few laps, under the safety car, due to another car that triggered a crazy accident. I certainly prefer to remember the victories, podiums and the title of this season.”

In the recent years you have never abandoned your commitments on the Nordschleife, competing as a protagonist in the 24 Hours of the Nürburgring.
“I ran many 24 Hours, almost all the most important in the world, Daytona, Spa, Le Mans and, of course, the Nürburgring. The latter won me over immediately and I would like to keep this appointment also next season.
I’ll have to consider who to run with. I’m spoiled for choice and are all stimulating and high-profile opportunities, like the chance to get back on track with the Phoenix Racing Team. This option will also be unlocked after I have defined the championship in which I will be involved with Lamborghini. Racing at the Nürburgring requires a great dedication and you need to do it by doing test sessions and practicing a lot.”
What are you doing in this period?
“In addition to defining the racing programs, I continue my training and dedicate myself to another passion of mine, skiing.”
It is a matter of waiting a few more weeks and we will discover Michele Beretta in the 2022 edition.
“Yes, just have a little more patience. In the meantime, I thank all those who have followed and supported me and I wish everyone a happy 2022.”