Day to day, the iconic driver of the MotoGP Valentino Rossi makes us live his dream of participating in the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans event on four wheels through his Instagram account.
After some media and technical activities, then a first test last Sunday, the nine-time world champion benefited from two days of rest before taking to the track at the wheel of the #4 BMW M46 entered in the LM GT3 category by the Belgian WRT team, for a busy Wednesday, with two free practice sessions and the first qualifying practices.
Associated with his usual Belgian teammate Maxime Martin (Platinum) and Ahmad Al Harty (Bronze), originally from Oman, the “Doctor” achieved the best time of the three drivers in FP1, in 3'59.802, placing the BMW in 18th position in its category.
During qualification, Valentino Rossi didn't drive but Max Martin posted a 3'56.738 which placed the BMW #46 in 12th place in its category, 51st in the general classification, which did not allow access to the Hyperpole, only the first 8 in the LMGT3 category could participate.
Thursday, Valentino Rossi presented its helmet dedicated to this race, in a very vintage style…
“I present to you the special helmet for the 24 Hours of Le Mans. We wanted to evoke the legendary helmets of the 24 Hours of Le Mans from the 70s and for this we created the very simple graphics with my fluorescent yellow with these two lines which run through the helmet, in a very 24 Hours of Le Mans style. Then we added the sun and the moon, and we also wanted a vintage color. We found this light blue, because in those years many pilots wore light blue overalls, not really white but light blue. And let's say this is what we liked the most, because it's a little similar to my blue, but more vintage, which gives that 70's effect. We then made the interior in neon yellow, then there is the Valentino Rossi inscription written differently, because it is my handwriting. So I wrote “Valentino Rossi Le Mans 24H” myself. And to continue on the same line, we used the brand of Aldo and Davide from those years. I then naturally added the number 46, the Italian flag, and we were ready. This helmet looks great, it's very beautiful, and now all that's left is to do it well. »
The 24-hour race will start on Saturday June 15 at 16 p.m.
Photo credit: VR46
