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A continuous growth: Valentino Rossi first full season on four wheels



A new adventure: this is the way to define the 2022 season of Valentino Rossi. Following a legendary career in MotoGP, The Doctor became a full time driver in car racing. To do so, he chosen to measure himself in the GT World Challenge Europe, the most prestigious and competitive scene for Gran Touring discipline.

Wearing fireproof OMP Racing racewear and Bell helmets, Valentino hit the track at the wheel of the Audi R8 LMS GT3 fielded by WRT team, a partner itself of the Italian company. The number 46 was the obvious choice for the plate. Rossi's team mates have been GT specialists Frederic Vervisch and, only for the Endurance rounds, Nico Muller to complete the trio.

It's worth to remind the GT World Challenge Europe, which featured 10 rounds this year, contains two trophies: one for long-distance races, among which stands out the mythical Spa 24 Hours, and the Sprint Cup with a weekend format of two 60-minutes manches.



The campaign started in April with the Imola 3 Hours, and since then Rossi put on display a constant growth, discovering step by step the secrets of this category and what is needed to fight against the other Pro drivers. Three fifth places have been the best results under the chequered flag, at the Le Castellet's 1000 km, the Hockenheim 3 Hours and at Race 2 in Misano, Valentino's home track which hosted one of the Sprint events.

All the lessons came to fruition at the closing round, the Barcelona 3 Hours, where Valentino took the sixth place. "I am very happy, because today's was certainly my best stint of the season. I could gain two positions and then stay with the top guys for 30 laps, keeping their same pace even when the tyres were more consumed", he told about his drive. "It's a nice way to finish the season".

Avoiding any rest, Valentino already completed his first tests to prepare the 2023 season, when he will continue to use Racing Force Group products.