It has become a tradition at Valentino Rossi: his winter break begins with car competitions. But this year, the operation has another meaning. Rather than a recreation, today it is a question of verifying that the environment of four-wheeled cars can actually make sense for a reconversion. In fact, after the warm-up on a Mercedes F1, with Lewis Hamilton also changed to a MotoGP driver for a day in Valencia, the Doctor went to do an endurance race in Abu Dhabi on a Ferrari. With the good results that we know…
Valentino Rossi does not hide it: in a few months, he will say whether he is still continuing or definitively stopping his career as a Grand Prix driver. Now over 40 years old, the feeling in the paddock leans towards the end of the journey for the Doctor who expects a lot from the next Yamaha to have good reasons to insist. Otherwise, he has already declined his plan: endurance races with cars.
A project touched upon last weekend in Abu Dhabi where a 12h00 event was organized. An experience lived with family and with the VR46 clan so positive that the Kessel stable which welcomed it understood that there was, for them too, a golden opportunity... The owner Ronnie Kessel thus opens the door wide to the champion of Tavullia… “ Valentino showed great ability behind the wheel of these machines » reports 'La Gazzetta dello Sport'. “ Now it is up to him to decide whether to implement a project, a road or something else. It has the potential to take on any challenge in a sedan. » The challenges of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, Spa and the Nürburgring will require a certain amount of preparation and he will have to face high-level opponents. Definitely not a Monza Rally Show style ride.
More Valentino Rossi showed he had great potential. “ The GT3 is the ideal machine for him »continued team boss Kessel. “ If you wish, you can also race in the LMP prototype category which, however, is a different car concept and in some ways loses a bit of its appeal. »
The initial idea would be to start with a few races in World Endurance or the European Le Mans Series. Valentino Rossi would be joined by experienced pilots to gain experience and gradually raise the bar. The goal is certainly not to compete to pass the time, but to win. The reflection continues its course and it will continue in Mexico, the place Vale has chosen to spend his vacation...
