Moto GP
**Valentino Rossi’s COTA WEC Hopes Dashed by Late Breakdown: #46 WRT BMW Forced to Retire 15 Minutes from Finish**
Mechanical failure derails Valentino Rossi’s COTA WEC race
Valentino Rossi’s #46 WRT BMW encountered mechanical problems just 15 minutes before the conclusion of the Lone Star Le Mans.
The #46 WRT BMW LMGT3 vehicle, with drivers Valentino Rossi, Ahmad Al Harty, and Maxime Martin, exited the Austin World Endurance Championship race just 15 minutes before its conclusion.
During the initial phase of last Sunday’s Lone Star Le Mans at the Circuit of the Americas, the vehicle featuring MotoGP icon Rossi’s renowned #46 surged from 15th position in the class to secure fifth place.
During his stint, Al Harty secured a solid position for the car, and his teammates Rossi and Martin kept up the impressive pace.
As the race approached its conclusion, the car, which had been holding a position within the top five, encountered a hydraulics problem with just 15 minutes remaining and had to drop out.
"The weekend experienced a mix of positive and negative moments," stated Vincent Vosse, the head of the WRT team.
"Naturally, we're dissatisfied with the outcome, but there are also several positive aspects to acknowledge."
“Our team was the only one able to match the Ferrari's pace in the Hypercar category during the first half of the race, which was a very encouraging aspect."
“From now on, we must master this process and avoid errors until the race is over.”
"Let's stay optimistic and turn our attention to the upcoming race in Fuji in two weeks. The outcome in LMGT3 has been less than satisfactory."
"We did our best with car #31. Car #46 experienced a technical problem, specifically with the power steering. We plan to conduct a more 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 enhance our performance in Fuji."
The Heart of Racing team's Aston Martin, car number 27, secured victory in the LMGT3 category at COTA. Meanwhile, the other WRT vehicle, car number 31, finished in fifth place.
A decisive win and first place in the Hypercar category were claimed by the #83 AF Corse Ferrari, driven by former Formula 1 driver Robert Kubica, along with Robert Shwartzman and Yifei Ye.
During Rossi's debut season in the World Endurance Championship, the #46 car managed to secure a podium finish at Imola, but has not been able to achieve similar success afterward.
Before the weekend began, Rossi believed that his previous experience racing at COTA during his MotoGP career from 2013 to 2021 would be advantageous.
Rossi explained to Sportscar365 that he consistently performs at a higher level on familiar tracks when riding his motorcycle.
"You can bring a lot of knowledge with you. You’re familiar with the track, understand the best lines to take, and are aware of where the bumps and grip spots are."
“However, in certain aspects, the GT is notably distinct. This is because it allows for significant cutting and the creation of varied lines.”
“In the end, the course remains unchanged. Therefore, being familiar with the course while riding the bike is a significant benefit.”
Explore Further
Recent Updates
Recent Updates
Website Map
Crash.Net
©1999-2024 Crash Media Group
It is prohibited to reproduce text, photos, or illustrations, either entirely or in part, in any manner.
Discover more from Automobilnews News - The first AI News Portal world wide
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.