News
course: Home > News > MOTORSPORT

GT World Challenge Europe: Valentino Rossi wins his first GTWC race at home round in Misano.

20-07-2023 09:32 - MOTORSPORT
The jubilation of Rossi and Martin after Sunday's race in Misano knew just as little as that of the countless fans of the Italian racing legend, who made his home race in Misano a spectacle. Her hero's greatest motor racing triumph to date was the reward. A few weeks ago Rossi celebrated his first win on four wheels at the “Road to Le Mans”, but to be on the podium against the best GT racers in the world in GTWC Europe is another league. Martin laid the foundation for the success of the duo with third place in qualifying, but it was Rossi who confidently brought first place to the finish with strong lap times in the second half of the race. Remarkable: Martin was also there when a BMW racing car won a GTWC Sprint Cup race for the last time.

In addition to the overall victory on Sunday, BMW M Team WRT had even more reason to celebrate. Already in Saturday's race, Dries Vanthoor and Charles Weerts (both BEL) showed a fantastic fightback from 21st on the grid to third place. The duo also started from pole position on Sunday, but fell far behind due to a problem during the pit stop and had to settle for ninth place. Alongside Rossi and Martin, Jean-Baptiste Simmenauer and Thomas Neubauer (both FRA) also celebrated on the podium on Sunday, taking an excellent third place. Niklas Krütten (GER) and Calan Williams (AUS) also celebrated victory in the Gold Cup on Sunday. There they finished second on Saturday.