For those of us who believe the true home of a Lotus is on the limit and between the curbs, there is plenty to celebrate coming out of Bergamo. PB Racing Lotus Bergamo has officially confirmed they are doubling down on the GT4 European Series, fielding a two-car assault featuring the gorgeous, mid-engined Emira GT4.
After a debut season that proved the Emira has the bones of a winner—including a standout Pro-Am victory with Stefano D’Aste and Alberto Naska—the team is shifting from “development mode” into a full-scale offensive.
The Lead Entry: Veteran Savvy meets Championship Pedigree
At the spearhead of the campaign is a pairing that understands the Lotus DNA better than most.
- Stefano D’Aste: A man whose name is practically synonymous with Lotus racing success. His feedback was instrumental in honing the Emira GT4’s platform last year, and his return provides the technical continuity the team needs to bridge the gap to the front of the pack.
- Massimo Abbati: Joining D’Aste is the reigning Lotus Cup Italy champion. Having secured back-to-back titles in 2024 and 2025, Abbati is graduating to the European stage at the peak of his powers.
The Second Shield: A New Generation Takes the Grid
The expansion sees a second all-new Emira chassis join the stable, manned by a duo eager to prove the car’s giant-killing potential.
- Maurizio Copetti: Bringing a diverse resume that ranges from the raw power of BOSS GP single-seaters to the door-to-door combat of the Lotus Cup.
- Massimiliano Schiavone: Another standout graduate from the Lotus Cup Italy, Schiavone proved his mettle as a race winner last season.
Both Copetti and Schiavone have already spent time sharing an Emira GT4 in the Italian X-GT4 series, so expect their chemistry to be dialed in from the first green flag.
Why Two Cars Matter
In the world of GT4 racing, data is the only currency that matters. By doubling their footprint on the grid, PB Racing effectively doubles their learning rate. Every lap provides twice the telemetry on tire wear, aero balance, and heat management—essential for a platform like the Emira that is still in the early chapters of its racing legacy.
The Verdict
PB Racing isn’t just showing up to fill a spot on the grid; they are documenting the evolution of Hethel’s latest warrior. While the Emira might be one of the younger designs in the paddock, the combination of PB Racing’s Italian passion and a driver lineup steeped in Lotus history suggests that the established brands should be checking their mirrors.
The GT4 European Series is arguably the toughest category on the planet, but if there’s one thing we know about a Lotus, it’s that it thrives when the odds are stacked against it.
