Heartbreak for Rossi: Late Breakdown Halts #46 WRT BMW’s Charge at COTA WEC

Valentino Rossi's participation in the COTA WEC race was thwarted by a mechanical failure late in the event. The #46 WRT BMW encountered technical problems just 15 minutes before the conclusion of Lone Star Le Mans.

The WRT BMW LMGT3 car number 46, with drivers Valentino Rossi, Ahmad Al Harty, and Maxime Martin, had to withdraw from the Austin World Endurance Championship race just 15 minutes before it was scheduled to end.

Last Sunday at the Circuit of the Americas, a car displaying MotoGP icon Rossi's renowned #46 made an impressive leap from 15th place to fifth in its category during the initial phase of the Lone Star Le Mans.

Al Harty secured a competitive spot for the car during his stint, and his teammates Rossi and Martin kept up the impressive speed.

As the race was nearing its end, the car, which was in the top five, encountered a hydraulic problem with just 15 minutes remaining and had to withdraw.

"The weekend presented a mix of positive and negative moments," stated Vincent Vosse, the head of the WRT team.

"While the final outcome is disappointing, there are definitely some positive aspects we can appreciate."

“We were the sole competitors able to match the Ferrari’s pace in the Hypercar category during the first half of the race, which was a significant highlight.”

"We must now master this process and carry it out flawlessly until the race concludes."

"However, let's stay optimistic and look ahead to the upcoming race at Fuji happening in two weeks. The outcome in the LMGT3 category has been less than satisfactory."

"We did our best with car #31. Car #46 experienced a technical malfunction, which we have identified as a power steering problem. We will conduct a thorough investigation to determine the exact cause of the issue."

“Our rivals outperformed us, causing us to lose more points to the top two teams. We need to figure out how to get better for the race in Fuji.”

The #27 Aston Martin from Heart of Racing secured victory in the LMGT3 category at COTA, whereas the other WRT vehicle, numbered #31, finished in fifth place.

The #83 AF Corse Ferrari, driven by former Formula 1 driver Robert Kubica, Robert Shwartzman, and Yifie Ye, clinched an outright win and secured the highest accolades in the Hypercar category.

Rossi's debut season in the World Endurance Championship (WEC) has had its ups and downs. The #46 car managed to secure a podium finish at Imola but has not been able to achieve similar results in subsequent races.

Before the weekend arrived, Rossi believed that his previous experience on the track from his MotoGP days, where he raced at COTA from 2013 to 2021, would benefit him significantly.

Rossi mentioned to Sportscar365 that he consistently performs quicker and more efficiently on familiar tracks when riding his motorcycle.

"You can bring a lot of things with you. You're familiar with the track, understand the best paths to take, and know where the bumps and areas with good grip are located."

"Undoubtedly, the GT offers a distinct experience in certain aspects. You have the freedom to take more shortcuts and choose varied racing lines."

"Ultimately, the course remains unchanged. Therefore, being familiar with the course while on the bike is definitely beneficial."

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