24h Le Mans
Seven-time MotoGP world champion Valentino Rossi has been greeted like a rockstar by fans of the 24 Hours of Le Mans. After a 20+ year career in the most prestigious moto competition, "The Doctor" is realising his lifelong dream of competing in the FIA World Endurance Championship.
To go from two wheels to four is no easy feat, especially when you've been racing at the world's circuits on the most powerful motos for more than 25 years. During Scrutineering, Valentino Rossi: I always knew I wanted to try my hand at motorsport after my MotoGP career. Le Mans is the most famous race in the world, so of course it was an objective.
Even though Rossi is most famous for his exploits on Hondas and Yamahas, the Italian racer has dipped his toe in other disciplines. Rally racing, for example, as well as Formula 1 with the Scuderia Ferrari in 2006. He understands endurance racing is a new and complex experience that should not be underestimated. Rossi: It's difficult to adapt to endurance racing because a MotoGP race lasts just over forty minutes, and it's full throttle from start to finish. The start and the first corner are very important. You take risks in those moments. Here, we have to share the car, there's a lot of strategy and that's the biggest challenge for me.
Rossi decided to join Team WRT in the new LMGT3 category. The Belgian outfit boasts a win in the LMP2 category at the 2021 24 Hours. Rossi: Our level of performance varies depending on the circuit, but overall we've been pretty fast since the start of the season. We hope to be competitive. We've had our ups and downs this year, but we think we'll be able to fight for the top places. Rossi, Ahmad Al Harty and Maxime Martin have already reached the second step on the podium at the 2024 6 Hours of Imola.
This foray into a new world was a natural progression, often the case for this level of competitor for whom focus, managing pressure and mechanical talent are second nature. Rossi: In the end, there are many similarities between these high-level disciplines. Rossi is not the first moto world champion to take on Le Mans. John Surtees, Mike Hailwood and Wayne Gardner, three other big names, also successfully accepted the challenge.
"The Doctor" is a regular at Le Mans having already won the French Motorcycle Grand Prix three times (2002, 2005 and 2008). He is still trying to find his footing in this new arena. Rossi: It's a bit of a change of scenery for me. I'm familiar with the MotoGP paddock at the Bugatti circuit, having raced there for 20 years, but this is even bigger. It's amazing to see the organisation behind it. He has at least raced at the big 24 Hours circuit in 2023 for Road to Le Mans.
Rossi won the GT3 category in Road to Le Mans last year with teammate Jérôme Policand. Heading into Race Week for the 2024 24 Hours, he recalls the experience. Rossi: I got used to the circuit last year with Road to Le Mans and I can't wait to spend 24 hours there. But I'm not yet used to the night, the forest or the traffic.
Thanks to his assertive personality, bitter rivalries and track prowess, Rossi has transcended his sport, attracting the fascination of crowds since his late teens. Rossi: Everyone's been telling me about the Parade. It's going to be a first for me, so I can't wait. He is really looking forward to the Drivers' Parade on Friday 14 June in the Le Mans city centre starting at 16:00.
With all eyes on Valentino's neon yellow #46 BMW M4 LMGT3, another Rossi will also be making his debut at the 24 Hours circuit on four wheels: Louis Rossi, the French former moto racer who competed in six full Grand Prix seasons and several runnings of the 24H Motos. Louis will take the start in Road to Le Mans at the wheel of Graff Racing's LMP3.
