It is forbidden to make mistakes: this is the imperative for Valentino Rossi when we arrived at the Sprint Cup appointment of the Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe powered by AWS in Misano.
Without wishing to put pressure on the ‘Doctor’, who as we know is in an apprenticeship phase in his first season at the wheel of the Audi R8 LMS Evo II, it is clear that the event held at the ‘Marco Simoncelli Circuit’ is not like the others.
In addition to being the home track for him, since it is just 15km from Tavullia, it is also the one on which the Italian raced the most during the winter tests, even in the past with the Ferrari GT3 when he had to train for the 12h in the Gulf and other races in which he took part.
Therefore, Misano becomes a very important stage for # 46, a sort of test of the 9 where he will have to demonstrate the improvements and growth that he is undertaking in 2022 together with his crew mate, Frédéric Vervisch.
Failing in Romagna could have a specific weight and start asking questions about how to continue the work, given that in the Brands Hatch, Magny-Cours and Zandvoort exits there could be the excuse of never having seen the track before in Sprint race mode.
# 46 Team WRT Audi R8 LMS evo II: Valentino Rossi, Frà © dà © ric Vervisch
Photo by: SRO
“It will be a weekend full of emotions for me, given that I live close to the track – explains the driver of the WRT Team – I raced in Misano many times and I had the opportunity to ride the cars too, having done so many tests over the years”.
“We also tested with the team last winter and the sensations were excellent. It is a difficult circuit that takes time to learn the right lines and where to cut. It will also be hot, but it will be nice to see so many people in the stands.”
Vervisch adds: “We will try to continue to grow and do better than in Zandvoort. Vale will be racing at home, so it would be nice to get a good result.”
“The test we did at the beginning of the season went well, we hope that the performances are the same also for the real races”.
# 46 Team WRT, Audi R8 LMS Evo II: Frédéric Vervisch, Valentino Rossi
Photo by: SRO
WRT Team Principal Vincent Vosse comments: “We know Misano well and have often achieved good results. We hope that this will be the case again this year, with our advanced version of the Audi R8 LMS”.
“Misano is always a crucial moment of the season, being the last race before the 24 Hours of Spa. The goal is not only to fine-tune our preparation, but also to improve our positions in the various championship standings” .
“We aim to extend the drivers’ standings with the # 32 car and to bridge the gap in the team one, as well as in the Silver Class with the # 30”.
“Of course, it will be the home race for the # 46 car and a very special weekend for Vale, which we hope will make the most of it.”
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