Tag Archives: Valentino

News

Valentino Rossi Set to Test Le Mans Prototype as a Rookie in WEC

Valentino Rossi has fans from different walks of life. There are those who admire his achievements as a seven-time MotoGP World Champion, and there are those who simply love him as a racer, no matter the series. Regardless, one thing is certain: Rossi possesses undeniable charisma that sets him apart.

For fans who are more interested in Rossi as a racer than the type of vehicle he races in, there’s exciting news. On November 5, 2023, Rossi will participate in the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile World Endurance Championship (FIA WEC) Rookie Test.

Rossi will be driving a Le Mans Prototype car, specifically in the LMP2 category. As per the current FIA WEC regulations, LMP2 cars are closed cockpit vehicles with no production minimums required. The LMP class is divided into two sections: one for manufacturers and the other for independent teams that aren’t manufacturers or engine suppliers.

For this test, Rossi will be behind the wheel of an Oreca 07 with a naturally aspirated V8 engine producing around 540 horsepower. Representing Team WRT comes as no surprise, as Rossi has been driving Team WRT’s BMW M4 GT3 car in the 2023 Fanatec GT Endurance Cup and Fanatec GT Sprint Cup.

“I’m very happy to be trying the LMP2 for the first time! It’s a great opportunity from Team WRT because we have plans for me to test the BMW Hypercar in the future. So, before testing that, I think it’s good experience to try the LMP2 as it’s similar in terms of downforce, and I’m curious to understand my potential,” said Rossi in a statement.

He also mentioned his excitement to be in Bahrain to witness the final race of the season and experience the atmosphere and structure of the event, as he hopes to race in the WEC in the future.

It’s important to note that the WEC will be phasing out the use of LMP2-class cars in most races next year. They will only be allowed at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. However, Team WRT aims to run two of its BMW M4 GT3 cars in the new GT3 class of the WEC, which could be an exciting development for Rossi fans to keep an eye on.

News

Brembo Presents Rossi With Special Trophy Celebrating His Career

The name Valentino Rossi is one that’s instantly recognizable even to folks with little knowledge about motorcycles and motorsports. Recognized by many as one of the most iconic athletes of all time, Valentino Rossi’s career is a shining gem not just in the world of motorsports, but in the realm of sports as a whole.

Of course, the Italian racer’s career was made extra special by the equipment he was using, and one of the brands he never parted ways with was Brembo. The company known for some of the most efficient and performance-focused braking systems in both two and four-wheeled applications, Brembo has played a critical role in the success of Rossi’s career, as literally every single one of his race bikes was fitted with a braking system from the Italian company.

Brembo Presents Rossi With Special Trophy Celebrating His Career

That being said, on the occasion of the San Marino GP at Misano, Brembo awarded Valentino Rossi with a special trophy to commemorate his successful racing career. More than just a trophy, the award given to him was handcrafted particularly to showcase the man’s entire career. For starters, the trophy made use of parts found in Rossi’s very first race bike back in 1996. Likewise, it also features components from Rossi’s last race bike, the Yamaha YZR-M1, which he rode in his last race in Valencia in 2021.

Commenting on the ceremony, Brembo CEO Daniele Schillaci stated, “It is an honor for us to be able to award him with this unique trophy, which underlines his unbreakable bond with Brembo. I thank Valentino on behalf of the company for having always been with us and for allowing us to bring continuous innovation to every type of sports bike on which he has competed and won.”

Brembo Presents Rossi With Special Trophy Celebrating His Career

Valentino Rossi’s racing career is one of the most illustrious in the industry. Having completed 432 Grands Prix, Rossi garnered over 6,350 points. In the MotoGP class alone, he sat on P1 89 times, and in total, won 115 races throughout his career. Never once did he use any other braking system than Brembo, and the company released some interesting estimates regarding how much stuff the Italian used throughout the course of his career. Brembo estimates that Rossi used up more than 450 front rotors, more than 1,000 brake pads, and about 280 liters of brake fluid throughout the course of his career.

BMW

Valentino Rossi Wins his First GT World Challenge Europe Race at Misano

Valentino Rossi, the nine-time motorcycle world champion, has claimed his first victory in the Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe Powered by AWS (GTWC). The race took place at Misano, Italy, and was part of the Sprint Cup in this season’s championship. Rossi, racing alongside Maxime Martin, dominated the one-hour race and secured the win in scorching hot conditions. This victory marks Rossi’s biggest achievement in car racing so far. BMW M Team WRT, Rossi’s team, also celebrated a class win in the Gold Cup, as well as other podium finishes.

Rossi and Martin were elated after their win and were cheered on by their countless fans. This triumph on home soil is Rossi’s most significant success in automobile racing. While he had previously won his first race on four wheels at the ‘Road to Le Mans,’ winning against the best GT racing drivers in the world in GTWC Europe is an even greater accomplishment. Martin played a crucial role in the victory, especially since the last time a BMW race car won in the GTWC Sprint Cup was eight years ago with Martin and Dirk Müller driving a BMW Z4 GT3.

BMW M Team WRT had more reasons to celebrate as well. Dries Vanthoor and Charles Weerts showed an impressive performance, climbing from 21st on the grid to finish third in the Saturday race. They started from pole position on Sunday but faced setbacks during the pit stop, ultimately settling for ninth place. Jean-Baptiste Simmenauer and Thomas Neubauer finished third, joining Rossi and Martin on the podium. Niklas Krütten and Calan Williams secured the Gold Cup victory on Sunday.

After the race weekend, Andreas Roos, Head of BMW M Motorsport, congratulated Rossi on his first GT World Challenge Europe victory and praised his development as a driver. Vincent Vosse, Team Principal of BMW M Team WRT, expressed his emotions and highlighted the significance of winning the race with Rossi at Misano. Rossi himself expressed his joy and gratitude, emphasizing the specialness of winning in this racing series at his home circuit. Maxime Martin also shared his excitement and mentioned the momentum they have as a team going into future races. Dries Vanthoor and Charles Weerts reflected on their performance, acknowledging the setbacks but remaining optimistic about their progress with the BMW M4 GT3.