Valentino Rossi made his LMP2 debut with 67 laps and respectable times

Andto 2023 World Endurance Championship It ended Saturday night…but there was good reason to keep an eye on the track the two seas On Sunday, because certain Valentino Rossi He was about to take an important step in his career as a racing driver.

he Nine-time world motorcycle champion For the first time yesterday Behind the wheel of the prototype, after several years of fighting for copper with GT (by the way, with some success). there was Beginner test That the FIA ​​programmed it as the finale of the World Cup and completed it with LMP2 Who was crowned the previous day world champion in his category. In the hands of, among other things, Robert Kubica.

happy times

Russian Complete both sessions (morning and afternoon) behind the wheel Eureka Gibson From the team WRT Numbered, of course, #46 (renumbered for this occasion). Italian completed 38 courses In the morning with better time 1:55,728 (Eight tenths slower than the Belgian Charles Wertzwho led the second WRT).

In the afternoon, Wirtz and Rossi took turns in the No. 46 car. the doctor Enjoyed others 30 rolls To mark a 1:55.118 For reference (again eight tenths slower than Weerts in that session, achieved with the same unit).

But times are not important. Because it relates to Rossi’s first experience with an aerodynamic car, very different in terms of behavior than what you’re used to with the GT cars you normally drive. Therefore, it is not true that it was so Before the famous names Resistance as Oliver Jarvis also Harry Tincknellwere also present at the session (although they presented a few laps).

Other references To put a value on Rossi’s 1:55.1 is just that The best time of the day was 1:54.283 (Specifically marked by a car Inter Europol With what Albert Costa Won the 24 Hours of Le Mans) or so The pole in Bahrain was 8 hours 1:52.290 In this category.

Coming soon: BMW Hypercar test

Russianwhose impressions about this test have not been disclosed, has a mark First big goal In his motorsport career: Competing in the 24 Hours of Le Manssomething that may be at your fingertips very soon.

On your way to this goal there will be the next step: Testing the prototype of the Queen class (LM Hypercar) which also operates WRT: the BMW M Hybrid V8 That next year will make the jump from the IMSA US Championship to a championship Endurance World Cup Thus, he will compete for victory in 24 Hours of Le Mans.