Indian actor Ajith Kumar has outlined his aspirations to compete in both the Le Mans 24 Hours and in the Asian Le Mans Series’ forthcoming Hypercar category in the coming years.
Speaking with Asian Le Mans Series TV’s David Addison during Qualifying at Sepang this morning, the 54-year-old Tamil cinema icon – who is being supported by a mass of fans at the Sepang International Circuit this weekend – laid out his plans to become the latest film star to forge a legacy in ACO-sanctioned racing.
“The ultimate goal for all drivers is to get to Le Mans,” he said when asked about his decision to compete in the Asian Le Mans Series this season. “We’d love to focus on prototypes. I’ve got all the experience I need over the past year to do that. I was recommended that this was the series to be in for the future.
“So, probably from 2026, I will start focusing on prototypes, the LMP3, then the LMP2. Then, god-willing, when they launch the Hypercars for customer racing, we hope to be a part of that as well.”
He becomes the latest prospect for the Asian Le Mans Series’ Hypercar category, following expressions of interest in the formula from BBM Sport, Proton Competition and Vanwall in recent weeks.
And should he race at Le Mans, he would follow in the footsteps of fellow actors, Paul Newman, Patrick Dempsey and Michael Fassbender, who have all competed in the French twice-around-the-clock classic in the past.
For now, though, Kumar is fully focused on the task at hand this winter, getting his first taste of LMP3 racing with ELMS regular Team Virage, driving its #8 Ligier JS P325 alongside former F1 driver Narain Karthikeyan and Julian Gerbi.
