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Ajith Kumar Thanks Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay for Silverstone Visit, Hopes India Hosts Le Mans Cup
Ajith Kumar, the Tamil‑film actor‑turned‑racing driver, opened the Saturday, September 12, 2026, Le Mans Cup round at Silverstone by thanking Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay for attending. The CM will wave the ceremonial green flag, a role confirmed by the organisers and posted on the event’s X account.
Ajith will race in the LMP3 Pro/Am category for his team Ajith RedAnt by Virage. He said the invitation was a gesture of goodwill between two men who have known each other for 34 years, noting that Vijay “has taken time off his busy schedule to visit us at Silverstone.” He added that the state’s sports promotion could pave the way for India to host similar events, underscoring their long friendship.
Tamil Nadu’s recent development roadmap for Chennai – including a new Secretariat complex and dedicated Olympic and motorsport cities – dovetails with Vijay’s appearance, underscoring the state’s ambition to bring international sporting events to the capital.
Ajith’s team will share the grid with French driver Romain Vozniak, who will pilot the No. 16 Ligier JS P325. An all‑Indian pairing will also compete: former Formula One driver Narain Karthikeyan and Aditya Patel will drive for Ajith RedAnt Racing in the LMP3 class.
According to the Le Mans Cup driver profile, Ajith’s participation marks another chapter in his long‑standing racing career, which has spanned India’s MRF Racing series, Formula 2, and international endurance races.
The event is part of the Michelin Le Mans Cup, an international sports‑car endurance series organised by the Automobile Club de l’Ouest and inspired by the 24 Hours of Le Mans. It is held on Europe’s most iconic circuits, including Silverstone, the home of the British Grand Prix, and is sanctioned by the Automobile Club de l’Ouest and features a mix of professional and amateur teams.
Ajith’s comments echo Tamil Nadu’s broader sports policy, which seeks to diversify into cricket, football, and motorsport. By inviting a high‑profile political figure to a global racing event, the state demonstrates its readiness to host large‑scale competitions, and the state’s plan includes a dedicated Olympic and motorsport city, signalling ambition.
The relationship between Ajith and Vijay extends beyond the racetrack. Both actors rose to prominence in the 1990s and have been central to one of Tamil cinema’s longest‑running fan rivalries, adding public interest to the Silverstone weekend. Their rivalry has been followed by fans for decades.
Ajith’s thank‑you was shared on social media and reported by outlets such as India Today and Gulf News. The Le Mans Cup’s official X post confirmed Vijay’s green‑flag role and his support for the Indian drivers.
The Silverstone event starts at 5:10 p.m. BST. Ajith’s LMP3 Pro/Am entry places him among 44 cars, with the field including drivers from 20 countries, and the Indian contingent hoping to make a mark on the international stage.
The weekend at Silverstone brings together Tamil Nadu’s political leadership, film stars, and motorsport talent. Vijay’s ceremonial role and Ajith’s racing entry symbolize the state’s ambition to host marquee sporting events in India while celebrating a historic friendship between two prominent figures.
The race’s outcome and any future discussions about hosting Le Mans Cup rounds in India remain to be seen, but the event has already attracted significant media attention and may influence the Automobile Club de l’Ouest’s decisions and the Indian motorsport community, such visibility could encourage future hosting bids.
Ajith will race in the LMP3 Pro/Am category for his team Ajith RedAnt by Virage. He said the invitation was a gesture of goodwill between two men who have known each other for 34 years, noting that Vijay “has taken time off his busy schedule to visit us at Silverstone.” He added that the state’s sports promotion could pave the way for India to host similar events, underscoring their long friendship.
Tamil Nadu’s recent development roadmap for Chennai – including a new Secretariat complex and dedicated Olympic and motorsport cities – dovetails with Vijay’s appearance, underscoring the state’s ambition to bring international sporting events to the capital.
Ajith’s team will share the grid with French driver Romain Vozniak, who will pilot the No. 16 Ligier JS P325. An all‑Indian pairing will also compete: former Formula One driver Narain Karthikeyan and Aditya Patel will drive for Ajith RedAnt Racing in the LMP3 class.
According to the Le Mans Cup driver profile, Ajith’s participation marks another chapter in his long‑standing racing career, which has spanned India’s MRF Racing series, Formula 2, and international endurance races.
The event is part of the Michelin Le Mans Cup, an international sports‑car endurance series organised by the Automobile Club de l’Ouest and inspired by the 24 Hours of Le Mans. It is held on Europe’s most iconic circuits, including Silverstone, the home of the British Grand Prix, and is sanctioned by the Automobile Club de l’Ouest and features a mix of professional and amateur teams.
Ajith’s comments echo Tamil Nadu’s broader sports policy, which seeks to diversify into cricket, football, and motorsport. By inviting a high‑profile political figure to a global racing event, the state demonstrates its readiness to host large‑scale competitions, and the state’s plan includes a dedicated Olympic and motorsport city, signalling ambition.
The relationship between Ajith and Vijay extends beyond the racetrack. Both actors rose to prominence in the 1990s and have been central to one of Tamil cinema’s longest‑running fan rivalries, adding public interest to the Silverstone weekend. Their rivalry has been followed by fans for decades.
Ajith’s thank‑you was shared on social media and reported by outlets such as India Today and Gulf News. The Le Mans Cup’s official X post confirmed Vijay’s green‑flag role and his support for the Indian drivers.
The Silverstone event starts at 5:10 p.m. BST. Ajith’s LMP3 Pro/Am entry places him among 44 cars, with the field including drivers from 20 countries, and the Indian contingent hoping to make a mark on the international stage.
The weekend at Silverstone brings together Tamil Nadu’s political leadership, film stars, and motorsport talent. Vijay’s ceremonial role and Ajith’s racing entry symbolize the state’s ambition to host marquee sporting events in India while celebrating a historic friendship between two prominent figures.
The race’s outcome and any future discussions about hosting Le Mans Cup rounds in India remain to be seen, but the event has already attracted significant media attention and may influence the Automobile Club de l’Ouest’s decisions and the Indian motorsport community, such visibility could encourage future hosting bids.
