Valentino Rossi returns to Gulf 12 Hours   
, , , , ,
 After one of his worst seasons in MotoGP, Valentino Rossi has decided to turn the page on the disappointments of the Motorcycle World Championship by moving into four-wheel racing. The Italian and nine-time Motorcycling champion has announced that he will take part once again in the Gulf 12 Hours, a GT3 race, which is scheduled for January 9.
This year, the start date of the test has been postponed by a month as well as being moved to a different location in an attempt to minimize the health risks arousing from the coronavirus pandemic. In last year’s edition, the race took place at the spectacular Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates). This time, however, the also Middle Eastern and equally striking Bahrain International Speedway will be hosting the event.

 

Rossi with his brother & his friend again 

As in 2019, the #46 will be accompanied by his brother Luca Marini and by his inseparable friend and business partner, ‘Uccio‘ Salucci. Last year, the trio took a very worthy third place in the overall classification and won at the GT3 Pro-Am Class, onboard a Ferrari 488.

After that notorious result, and considering the competitive spirit of ‘Il Dottore’, there is no doubt that he will try to repeat his success from last year, and even give victory a good shot. For their endeavour, the Italian team will get behind the wheel of a Ferrari 488 GT3.

 

 

Rossi will therefore take the start for the second consecutive season at the Gulf 12 Hours, after his 2019 debut at the Yas Marina Circuit with the Monster VR46 Kessel Racing team. The news was released via a brief statement in which the organizers of the event informed that “MotoGP legend Valentino Rossi will return to the Gulf 12 Hours on January 9, 2021, at the Bahrain International Circuit”.

A while ago, Rossi already suggested that he would prefer to compete again at the desert race rather than at the World Rally Championship final in Monza, which is coming up on the 3-6 December.

 

 

 

Contrary to what one might assume, the Italian does have a sizable experience with competition vehicles. His passion for motoring in general, has led him to participate in the Rally Monza Show on numerous occasions, winning in 2006, 2007, 2012, 2015-18. 

He has also done some stints in Formula 1. Since 2008 he has taken part in several tests with Ferrari, a team that very nearly signed him to compete in the Formula 1 World Championship.

 

 

His last go at a single-seater took place in 2019 when he exchanged his bike for the seven-time F1 champion, Lewis Hamiltons’ Mercedes at the Cheste Circuit.

Images: Valentino Rossi Instagram.

Leave a Reply