In an exciting development for motorsport fans, legendary MotoGP racer Valentino Rossi will be racing in the 2023 Road to Le Mans events, featuring a formidable 116-driver lineup.
Rossi, a nine-time Motorcycle Grand Prix World Champion, will compete in a BMW M4 GT3, which is being prepared by Team WRT. This Belgian team, notable for its achievements in the 2021 FIA World Endurance Championship and the European Le Mans Series, is entering two cars for this year's eighth edition of the famed Road to Le Mans.
"I am thrilled to be part of this incredible event at Le Mans," said Rossi. "Competing in such a prestigious race is a unique opportunity, and I can't wait to get on track."
Joining Rossi on the grid is four-time World Touring Car Champion Yvan Muller, who will race as the driver and owner of the M Racing prepared no. 69 Ligier-Nissan in the LMP3 category. The event promises an exhilarating showcase of talent, with Michelin Le Mans Cup regulars fielding 42 cars alongside an additional 16 entries in the two 55-minute races on the full 13.6 km La Sarthe circuit. This year's event forms part of the celebration marking a century since the inaugural 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1923.
The LMP3 entry is led by Julien Gerbi and Gillian Henrion, driving the no. 16 Team Virage Ligier, who are currently the championship leaders after the first round in Barcelona. The LMP3 grid will boast 38 cars, comprising 32 Ligier JS P320s and 6 Duqueine M30-D8s, with a diverse representation from 22 nations in total.
Since its inception in 2016, the Road to Le Mans has hosted 13 races, with six teams claiming victory in the LMP3 category. This year, seasoned competitors Tony Wells and Colin Noble will also be present to vie for the top spot.
The GT3 category promises its own excitement, featuring 12 regulars from the Michelin Le Mans Cup, along with eight additional entries that include a range of high-performance machinery. Among the standout entries are the Aston Martin Vantage, Porsche 911, and Lamborghini Huracan, showcasing the best in automotive engineering.
Leading the GT3 Championship after Round 1 in Spain is the no. 10 Racing Spirit of Leman Aston Martin Vantage, piloted by French duo Arnold Robin and Valentin Hasse-Clot.
Additionally, multiple 24 Hours of Le Mans class winner Jan Magnussen, father of Formula 1 driver Kevin Magnussen, will be back in action, racing the no. 88 GMB Motorsport Honda NSX alongside fellow Dane Lars Pedersen. With historical context in mind, several past winning teams and drivers, including AF Corse, Iron Lynx, and GMB Motorsport, will also participate this year.
Pierre Fillon, President of the Automobile Club de l’Ouest (ACO), expressed his enthusiasm for the upcoming races: "This year, Road to Le Mans will host a record grid. These two races will offer spectators great battles on the track. I am also very happy to welcome a champion like Valentino Rossi, who will make his debut on the legendary circuit of the 24 Hours of Le Mans. I wish him the same success he has had on two wheels!"
Frédéric Lequien, CEO of Le Mans Endurance Management (LMEM), reflected on the significance of this event: "Once again the Road to Le Mans has attracted a large entry with star names running alongside the series regulars, and to have Valentino Rossi on the grid is a massive boost for the event. It also demonstrates the importance of the Michelin Le Mans Cup in endurance racing. I wish everyone taking part in the 2023 Road to Le Mans the very best of luck in this very special anniversary year for Le Mans."
The action is set to unfold on Thursday, June 8, and Friday, June 9, with qualifying scheduled for Thursday morning. As the countdown to the races begins, anticipation continues to build for a spectacular event that honors the rich legacy of Le Mans.
