Valentino Rossi reignites the engine
Valentino Rossi on the track
With a perfect lap, Scott Andrews ahead of everyone in the first free practice session of the 12h of the Gulf, the last stage of the Intercontinental GT Challenge Powered by Pirelli. The American of Kessel Racing Ferrari places his name at the top of the standings with a handsome two-tenths gap over the Herberth Motorsport Porsche #33 and the Garage 59 McLaren #59.
Not only the usual winner, Valentino Rossi, returns to the track for his last performance of 2023. The "Doctor" tackles the Arab event with a BMW M4 GT3 belonging to the WRT team, after having participated with a 488 GT3 under Kessel Racing.
This morning, the #46 car sits on the 11th position as one of the two representatives of the Bavarian brand, ready to contend for the global SRO title with Mercedes. After stages in Australia (12h Bathurst), Africa (9h Kyalami), Europe (24h Spa) and the USA (8h Indianapolis), the two brands clash in the driver and manufacturer standings on the eve of the final event.
The day continues with FP2 followed by qualifying, ahead of the 12-hour test the following day. Compared to the past, the race will have no interruptions and will kick off at 7 a.m. in Italy.
