Valentino Rossi has set his next goal

Valentino Rossi has set his next goal

The balance of 2023 so far is great for Valentino Rossi: halfway through the year, the Doctor has scored two victories in GT racing, one at La Mans and one at Misano in the Sprint Cup. Two successes that encourage the rider from Tavullia to continue his four-wheel adventure expeditiously.

“The one in Misano was a special victory, because it was obtained in the GT3 reference championship and at home, in front of my fans. Now the opponents look at me with more respect, if before I was mainly the ex-motorcyclist, now I am someone who can be fast in cars as well.”

“The really important thing is that I am getting more and more experience and gaining more confidence, that we are becoming more competitive, not only me but the whole team,” he said in an interview with Autosport. “We are strong in improving the car during the weekend and making the most of it in the race.

“My feeling with the M4 is also improving. At the moment, we have been doing better in the Sprint races, two podiums in four races and we are second in the Sprint Cup, which is no small stuff, considering the level and that first is Marciello and second tied with us Vanthoor. To me they are the fastest GT drivers in the world ever. In a competitive championship like GT World, things change quickly from race to race. You have to be ready to take your chances when you are strong, but also to grit your teeth when the right pace is not there.”

Valentino set his next goal: “To get on the podium in Endurance races as well, where there are more variables, more pit stops, more complex strategies, a car to drive and adjust in three… In what areas do I need to improve? On the dry lap on cold tires, like in qualifying, where there is not much time to warm up the tires. Kind of like what used to happen to me in motorcycles….”