Valentino Rossi reiterates his desire to test a Hypercar

Valentino Rossi is the star of this weekend in Emilia-Romagna. The 45-year-old Italian is eagerly awaited by his fans in the paddock for the 6 Hours of Imola, second round of the 2024 World Championship season.Endurance.

« I like it, I'm happy with it. The problem is essentially managing the Tifosi when I move around the paddock, jokes Vale during a press briefing organized by BMW. I remember when I drove here for the first time two years ago in motorsport, I felt pressure because I didn't know what I had to do. It's much better now. »

« This track is very special, adds the nine-time world champion Moto GP by evoking the route of the Autodromo Dino e Enzo Ferrari. It is difficult because it is very narrow, old-fashioned. One mistake and you find yourself in the gravel. There are a lot of vibrators too. What's complicated is that you have to jump on the vibrator in the right way. Ultimately, it's a very interesting route. It's very technical and I like it. »

Echoing what he had already said in Qatar at the season opener, Rossi once again spoke of his desire to race in a Hypercar. At least during a test session, which should happen during 2024.

« For sure, it's the top category, I would love to race and drive a Hypercar, said the trans iconalpine. I think I'll try the BMW one at the end of this season, hopefully on a test day, and I'm very curious to understand. As far as racing in this class goes, I don't know. I don't know if I'm fast enough because in Hypercar you have the world's elite in terms of drivers. I don't know if I'll be fast enough. Let's do a test first. I think it's a great car to drive. »

In the meantime, he will try to get a good result this weekend at the wheel of the No. 4 BMW M3 GT46 which he shares with Ahmad Al-Harthy and Maxime Martin. At the 1812 km of Qatar, the trio failed at the foot of the podium (4th).

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