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Valentino Rossi Victorious at the Le Mans Cup 2023

Written by Owen Bradley


Credit: Ker Robertson


Valentino Rossi is a race winner at the Le Mans circuit, for the first time in his career since 2008. But this time, it is on four-wheels, at the Le Mans Cup.


The Le Mans Cup is typically filled with a grid of drivers who aim to race in the main Le Mans 24 Hours Endurance Race, next year. Therefore, with Valentino Rossi in his BMW GT3, this can be seen by many, as him getting the practice he needs.


In a Press Conference at Brands Hatch, Rossi revealed to journalists - his aim is to compete in the GT World Challenge for 2022, 2023 and 2024. However, he hopes that for 2024 he will be able to compete in the main Le Mans 24 Hours. In 2023, taking victory at that very circuit, it’s quite safe to say that it’s very likely that he will be competing in the 2024 Le Mans 24 Hours.


A solid qualifying for both races for the #46 team, showed that they definitely had extremely strong pace, and they got to show that pace off in Race 2.


Rossi also revealed that whilst competing in the 2024 Le Mans 24 Hours, he also hopes that between 2025 and 2026, he can make the step up to permanently racing in the World Endurance Championship, which is something he has kept a close eye on over the last few years.


Rossi and teammate Jerome Policand managed to stay right in the Top 5 for the Le Mans Cup Race 2 on Friday, with Valentino Rossi himself managing to pull off a phenomenal overtake on the penultimate lap of the race, which was for P2. However, the leader had a penalty which then promoted Rossi to P1, and made him victorious for the first time ever in a GT3 race.


In fact, Rossi was so fast, he ended up at the back of an LMP3 train of cars, LMP3 being faster than GT3 cars marginally. Therefore, any doubts that Valentino Rossi is not quick enough to compete in GT3, are now completely dissipated - The Doctor, has arrived well and truly.


What did you make of Rossi and the #46’s performance? Let us know in the comments below!

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