Valentino Rossi : "I'm going to do everything I can to be at Le Mans 2024 in GT3"

Valentino Rossi is very much in demand in the Fanatec GT World Challeng Europe, but he always finds the time to talk to the press about the meeting and his future plans. Brands Hatch is no exception to the rule. Of course, the question of the 24 Hours of Le Mans always comes up and Vale keeps the same line. Le Mans will be part of his programme in the future. Before that, there will be Road to Le Mans in a BMW M4 GT3/Team WRT with Jérôme Policand, the boss of Akkodis ASP.

In the late morning Valentino Rossi will start from 20th place in Race 1 of the Brands Hatch meeting. In the afternoon his team-mate Maxime Martin will have a better starting position from the third row. After the qualifying session, the Italien driver spoke about his weekend and his future.

How is the meeting going so far?

The programme here is very tight over two days. We have worked a lot on the car since the first test session. Depending on the track, you never really know the potential of each other. Everyone is very close with tight lap times. My starting position is not fantastic. I was on a good lap but a Porsche went off the track several hundred metres in front of me. So I had to slow down. To be honest, I think a 10th or a 12th place was possible. Luckily Max was very fast in Q2. So we will concentrate on this second race.

Is Brands Hatch a circuit you like?

It's not easy to overtake because the track is very narrow. The track is very beautiful, knowing that it's my second time here, but the first with the BMW M4 GT3. You could say that this is the Donington of motorsport. The style of the two circuits is similar, very technical. In my opinion, the most interesting section is between Turns 5 and 7 (from Hawthorn Hill to Sheene Curve). There are climbs, descents and lots of grass (laughs). The last blind turn is also quite impressive.

The announcement of your participation in the Road to Le Mans is now official. Will this serve as a benchmark for the future?

The 24 Hours of Le Mans is the most prestigious race in the world. Taking part in the Road to Le Mans is a great opportunity to drive on the big circuit. I'm also very happy to be able to experience the race for the first time, which I've never been able to do before. It will allow me to get my bearings and to discover the whole atmosphere around this event. I'll have to perform well already.

The objective is still to participate in 2024?

I'm going to do everything I can to be at the sart next year in GT3. Le Mans, Spa and the Nürburgring are the three races that interest me. To date, I don't know my 2024 programme. What I do know is that I'm having a lot of fun in GT World Challenge Europe. Competing in the Endurance Championship with the 24 Hours of Spa is clearly one of the biggest opportunities for 2024.

 And the Hypercar category?

I'm planning to try the BMW M Hybrid V8 LMDh this year. I don't know when and where yet, but I hope to complete one or two days of testing, potentially in September/October. I would definitely like to be part of the programme one day, but before that, I'll have to perform well.