Valentino Rossi’s resounding mistake in his GT debut

valentino rossi He didn’t have a good debut as a car driver in the GT World Challenge Europe that opened the Endurance Cup in Misano despite the fact he was driving for the WRT Team, one of the leaders in the championship.

He opened with Audi R8 LMS #46 Nico Müller, who completed the first hour with a best time of 1’41 ”2 and was in 14th place. He then rode the Audi Valentino Rossi which dropped to 1’41 ”5 on one of his laps, hitting between the Lamborghini #63 and the McLaren #38 allowed him to gain position, but he lost this is due to an error. in favor of his partner Simmenauer’s Audi #30.

He was nearing the end of the hour when an accident forced the Safety Car to enter the track and taking advantage of the neutralization, everyone went back to the pits to change drivers, but Tavullia’s driver failed in a funny scene.

The man with the lollipop, who stayed behind the white line for the #30 Audi to pass first, had to go behind #46, but it was too late, even Vale had his seatbelt removed when he overded it, something that was necessary he declared in front of Race Direction -he earned a rebuke-, and had to make another turn before re-entering the pit lane to pass the wheel to Vervisch, who was no longer able to regain positions to score (17th).

Valentino said: “I got to the pit and unfortunately my mechanic carrying a lollipop was overwhelmed by the arrival of another vehicle. I was looking for him, but he left late; I looked, I looked, I looked, but he’s not there. ”I had already passed my garage and my blood had cooled. Until then we had done everything right and we were fast. It’s a good goal to get back in the top 10 and we can do that too because after me. Fred’s turn with a new tire. “

It was a rookie mistake: “These times are a bit hard because when you’re in the race you think to speed up, have fun and focus. In those situations it’s not easy to stay like this, but personally, I feel normal. The mistake is I noticed the lollipop because mine was fluorescent yellow, I searched for it and passed without being found.With a little experience, next time I will try to understand what my stopping zone is, without looking at the person in charge of the lollipop. “

The experience has enchanted him, “from a sporting point of view, I can say that it was the championship I was looking for, so I’m happy. I really enjoyed it, there are many different factors and situations, experience is needed. and let’s say I’ve already acquired it. It’s very difficult to qualify in the morning, by the way, very early (laughs). You have to immediately find the feeling with the car and new tires, something that I haven’t yet been. whole. I can improve, “he insisted.

Pedrosa scored on his debut

Who had a clearer debut is Daniel Pedrosa of the Lamborghini Super Trofeo in Misano. Along with Antonin Borga he fought for the Top3 of the Pro-AM category. In the first race he finished ninth in the category and nineteenth overall, and in the second he was fourth in his category and eighth overall, adding two points. Dani, who will ride just three of six championship rounds as he continues his test duties at KTM, will return to the track on April 30 at Brands Hatch.

“There were a lot of new things for me, but I learned a lot about the regulations and about everything that happens in racing, like Safety Cars or talking on the radio, as well as different‘ settings. ‘ that you have to use in the car. both with cold tires and with hot tires. In the second race I had the opportunity to start, which was a quick and uniform start “.

“I’m happy with the result, because we were able to bring the whole car to this first experience, which was very important. It was a fantastic weekend, also for the public, because I had a lot of support from everyone. The Italian fans “explained Pedrosa.