MotoGP icon Valentino Rossi guided the No.46 WRT BMW to victory in the Intercontinental GT Challenge (IGTC) race at Indianapolis, which was heavily disrupted by lightning and rain.
Although Rossi has reduced his car racing duties to focus mainly on the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC), he continues to join WRT for select endurance events. After winning the Bathurst 12 Hours earlier this year and racing in the Spa 24 Hours, Rossi teamed up with Kelvin van der Linde and Charles Weerts for the IGTC season finale.
Starting the eight-hour race from mid-pack among 25 entries, Rossi opened the first stint in the No.46 BMW, moving from seventh to fourth before handing over to Weerts. By the third hour, the car was running third, and with van der Linde driving, it climbed to second before the race was red-flagged due to severe weather.
Once racing resumed for the final 92 minutes, clever strategy propelled the No.46 BMW into the lead. After 198 laps, the WRT squad sealed its third consecutive Indianapolis win, while van der Linde secured the IGTC drivers’ title.
Rossi, who also won a rain-affected MotoGP race at Indianapolis in 2008, expressed his delight:
“I’m really happy—it was a great weekend. These kinds of races are always enjoyable, and I learned a lot. I think I did well in my stint. The #777 car was faster but unlucky. I’m very satisfied with our performance.”
Rossi will return to competition in early November for the final round of the FIA WEC season.
Be the first to comment