Valentino Rossi all set for the Gulf 12 Hours

During the MotoGP winter break, Valentino Rossi prepares to take on a new challenge, one that he already tackled last year in fact, but this year will be different. This weekend - 8 to 10 January - the Doctor will take part in the Gulf 12 Hours, as he did last year, but this year’s event takes place at a new track. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the competition won’t run in Abu Dhabi as is tradition, but at the Bahrain circuit.

Rossi won’t be gripping the handlebar of his Yamaha M1, but will instead take the wheel of the Ferrari 488 GT3 of team Kessel (watch a test session here) and, as in 2019, will once again team up with his brother, future MotoGP rider Luca Marini, and best friend “Uccio”, Alessio Salucci, who is normally alongside him in the garage.

The team has good memories as, in 2019, they won in the Pro Am class and actually finished third overall. Will they be able to replicate this, or do even better this time around? This is undoubtedly the goal.

 

A busy Sunday

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Postponed from December to January due to the global health crisis, the challenge they face is a tough one. The race is divided into two parts, each lasting roughly six hours and separated by three hours during which teams can work on the vehicle.

Before the race, which takes place on Sunday, the drivers can get to know the track and build confidence with their cars during free practice, on Friday and Saturday, and in qualifying, on Saturday afternoon. There’s not long to go, good luck!

Translated by Heather Watson

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