GTWorldChEu 2022: Valentino Rossi at Hockenheim J-2
Today, we participated at a round table with Valentino Rossi who drives the #46 Team WRT Audi R8 LMS evo II GT3.
Valentino Rossi started by commenting yesterday’s tests saying that his co-drivers (Frédéric Vervisch and Nico Müller) were a bit faster but he was close and the car look quite competitive.
Valentino Rossi: In Endurance races we are quite strong, we were in the top 5 at Paul Ricard which is our target. It is a bit strange because there was no action for us today (only Bronze test this afternoon). We have to wait tomorrow to have a better feeling of our potential. The qualifying will be crucial Sunday to be on top of the grid.
XYZ: You did Spa, what can you say about that race?
Valentino Rossi: I enjoyed very much, it is a great experience. I didn’t know what to expect from a 24 hours race. It is very particular because the last 8 hours are very strong. To rise my level and understand the car, it is very good because you have a lot of drivers and there is a lot of fighting with other cars. The best drivers of the world are present so you can follow them and understand where they are strong. Also the track is fantastic, very long, I enjoyed a lot driving there.
It is The Race of the season with lots of people around, a lot of cars and drivers, so I want to come back next year.
XYZ: Do you want to race the 24 Hours of Nürburgring?
Valentino Rossi: I want to do it because I love the Nordschleife. I often play with the simulator and I did one lap in 2012 with a Lambo when I raced there. I always push a lot with Vincent (Vosse, Team WRT CEO) to participate. It is not so easy because you have to do another race before on the track. Hopefully next year we can try.
CRR: Are your results so far in line with your expectations in the beginning of the season?
Valentino Rossi: Yes. It was difficult for me to understand my potential at the beginning of the season because it was new for me. Yes it is more or less what I expected. The best drivers of the world are participating as you have factory cars and drivers present like BMW, Porsche and Mercedes. It is not easy because the cars are very particular to drive. I’m happy because I improve every time.
Being in Team WRT is good because you can see the data from other drivers like Dries (Vanthoor) to understand better the way to drive the car.
Bottom line it is more or less what I expected.
XYZ: Will you stay with Team WRT next year? Do you have a better view of next season?
Valentino Rossi: For sure I’ll stay with Team WRT. 90% for the same program: 5 sprints and 5 endurances races. May be something else, may be Nürburgring but for sure with the same team. Probably with another car as Team WRT made a very important deal with BMW to race their Hypercar in WEC. It’s not 100% fixed for the GT3, it could be. For sure we’ll change car.
CRR: the Audi’s were not competitive in Spa as lap time were not in line with competitors. Do you feel it’s going to be better for the last 2 endurances races?
Valentino Rossi: Usually Audi was very strong in Spa but, unfortunately for me, this year, with the BoP, the fastest Audi suffered. We couldn’t fight for the points. The first impression yesterday is that we are quite strong so I hope this weekend we can be better.
