His partner’s accident shatters Rossi’s Le Mans dream.

Le Mans.- This expectation led Valentino Rossi to Le Mansthat the organizers had to strengthen security. The Italian was the star of Friday’s drivers’ parade, and fans wearing his paraphernalia could be seen at every point along the La Sarthe circuit. And despite how capricious the event of the world’s biggest endurance race is, something special was to be expected.

Valentino Rossiwith him driving BMW M4 GT3 #46took the lead shortly after the fourth hour and still had a good chance when his teammate Ahmad Al HarthiThe Omani native lost control of his car after eight-and-a-half hours, skidding on wet roads, hitting barriers and then getting stuck on the Dunlop Bridge.

Video: Rossi’s No. 46 BMW crashes at Le Mans (and is abandoned)

As you can see in the video, Ahmad Al Harthi has already missed the Dunlop chicane. He returned to the track and there seemed to be no problems until he lost control of the rear of the #46 BMW M4 GT3 at the top of the climb and was unable to avoid a crash. The pilot was clearly upset, realizing that he had missed a possible victory there.

He stayed inside the car, hoping that he could get out on his own, complete the lap and, although losing a lot of time, stay in the race. After receiving help from the stewards, he was able to make it to the pits with radiator damage and the team began to work hard. However, shortly after the 24 Hours of Le Mans account updated to report that Rossi’s No. 46 had dropped out of the race.

So, with honey on his lips, Al Harty ended Valentino Rossi’s first 24 Hours of Le Mans participation with almost two-thirds of the race ahead, and did so without the presence of “The Doctor”, who was not in the box when the cameras focused on garage and showed the team’s disappointment.

Race officials set up a slow zone at this point on the track, but after the car was helped, the green flag returned.