Tamil Nadu CM C Joseph Vijay to Flag Off Michelin Le Mans Cup Race at Silverstone

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay is set to officially start the Michelin Le Mans Cup race at Silverstone, where Kollywood star Ajith Kumar will compete. This event marks a significant crossover between Tamil cinema and motorsport, with both personalities aiming to promote racing in India. Ajith expressed gratitude for Vijay's presence and hopes for future racing events in India. The race will feature a strong Indian contingent and is part of Tamil Nadu's broader initiative to enhance its motorsport infrastructure while attracting investments during Vijay's UK visit.

By Narendra Chaudhary Sep 12, 2026, 10:28 IST

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister to Launch Prestigious Race

C Joseph Vijay, the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, is set to wave the ceremonial green flag to commence the Michelin Le Mans Cup race at Silverstone this Saturday. The event will also feature renowned Kollywood actor and racer Ajith Kumar, who is participating in the fifth round of the 2026 championship.

Star Power at Silverstone

This unique event will showcase two prominent figures from Tamil cinema at one of the most famous motorsport venues globally. Vijay will attend the two-hour race as a special guest, while Ajith will compete under the banner of Ajith RedAnt by Virage.

Official Confirmation of CM's Attendance

The Michelin Le Mans Cup confirmed Vijay's participation through a post on X, announcing that he would officially start the Silverstone round in front of a grid of 44 cars, supporting Indian drivers in the UK. The post stated, "A special guest will be waving the green flag at Silverstone this weekend! C. Joseph VIJAY - The Indian actor and Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu @actorvijay, will be joining us to support our Indian drivers in the UK and officially start the Silverstone Round in front of the 44-car grid. We can’t wait to go racing this Saturday!"

Ajith's Aspirations for Indian Motorsport

Ajith, who has successfully merged his film career with a passion for racing, will compete in the LMP3 Pro/Am category, sharing the No. 16 Ligier with French driver Romain Vozniak. During a pre-race press conference, Ajith expressed gratitude for Vijay's visit and shared his hopes for hosting similar events in India. He stated, "I am extremely thankful to the Honourable CM of Tamil Nadu, C Joseph Vijay, for taking time off his busy schedule to come and visit us at Silverstone. We’ve been colleagues in the film industry for the last 34 years, and I’m very happy for him that he is now the Chief Minister-elect."

Strong Indian Representation at the Race

Ajith will be joined by a notable Indian contingent at Silverstone, including former Formula One driver Narain Karthikeyan and Aditya Patel. The race will take place on the 5.891-kilometre Grand Prix circuit and will last for two hours, marking the fifth round of the 2026 Michelin Le Mans Cup season, which will conclude in Portimao, Portugal, in October.

Understanding the Michelin Le Mans Cup

The Michelin Le Mans Cup is an endurance racing championship that includes LMP3, LMP3 Pro/Am, and GT3 categories. Unlike Formula One, where drivers race single-seater cars, this championship focuses on endurance racing, with drivers sharing vehicles during the races. Ajith joined the championship for the 2026 season, competing in a specially designed Le Mans Prototype in the LMP3 Pro/Am category.

CM's Visit and Investment Initiatives

Vijay's attendance aligns with Tamil Nadu's broader initiative to enhance its motorsport infrastructure. The Chief Minister is currently on a week-long visit to the United Kingdom as part of an outreach program aimed at attracting investments and fostering partnerships across various sectors, including advanced manufacturing, electric vehicles, electronics, and Global Capability Centres.