In a surprising turn that has everyone talking, Tamil cinema legend Ajith Kumar has broken his 15-year silence, not to talk about his famous acting career, but to celebrate his bold entry into professional car racing. His move into motorsports, highlighted by the creation of the Ajith Kumar Racing Team, has shocked both the film and sports worlds.
Kumar’s racing team made an exciting debut at the Michelin 24H Dubai endurance race, securing third place in the 991 category. On top of that, Kumar received the prestigious “Spirit of the Race” award in the GT4 category. Speaking about his decision to debut at such a major event, Kumar confidently said, “This is just a practice run to test my equipment and racing plan. The real challenge is the Michelin 24H Barcelona 2025 Main Race from September 26-28 this year.”
Kumar expressed deep gratitude to his team, including teammates Fabian Duffieux, Mathieu Detry, and Cameron McLeod. “Most drivers don’t share their data or engineers, but my team has been completely transparent, teaching me everything I need to get this far. I owe this win to them,” he said, clearly moved.
When Kumar returned to the circuit for the 24H Dubai 2025, he didn’t expect a crash during practice that would make him rethink participating in the race.
Indian media reported that Kumar crashed his car into a barrier during a practice spin, totaling the car. Fortunately, he wasn’t injured. His team later issued a statement saying, “In the past few days, the core committee of Ajith Kumar Racing has carefully reviewed the impact of the recent crash during preparations for the Dubai 24H Series. The 24-hour endurance race is highly demanding, and the team has considered the challenges.
of the long season ahead. Mr. Ajith Kumar’s well-being and the overall success of the team are our top priorities.”
The statement also revealed a bold move by Kumar: “He will take on a dual role, serving as the owner of Ajith Kumar Racing by Bas Koeten in the Porsche 992 Cup Car (Number 901) while also competing as a driver for Ajith Kumar Racing by Razoon in the Porsche Cayman GT4 (Number 414) in the event.”
The Origins of Champion Racer
Kumar, who started his acting career in 1990 with En Veedu En Kanavar and now has 61 films to his name, has two highly anticipated Tamil-language releases this year: Vidamuyarchi and Good Bad Ugly. He credits his resilience in racing to his varied background. “My project management skills come from my early work as an apprentice mechanic and a model, among other things. And my persistence? That’s all because of my wife, Shalini. She’s been acting since she was three, and she’s taught me how to keep going no matter what,” he said, filled with pride.
Kumar’s heartfelt praise for Shalini’s constant support resonated with his fans. “She’s the reason I can race today. She supported me in chasing this dream, and I’ll be forever grateful,” he added, offering a rare insight into his personal life.
Shattering Records: A Phenomenal Journey
The 2025 Dubai 24 Hour Race saw an incredible turnout, with fans flocking to the stadium in numbers never seen in its 19-year history. International motorsports fans even compared Kumar’s presence to that of veteran racer Max Verstappen. When asked about the pressure from his massive fanbase, Kumar responded with the same calm determination he shows on the track: “It would be naive to say that my fans’ huge presence doesn’t add pressure. But I’ve never been afraid of losing. I love them unconditionally, and I hope this helps motorsports gain recognition among the Indian diaspora, like cricket has.”
Kumar’s victory has been widely celebrated in the film industry, with actor R. Madhavan showing his support from the venue. “Ajith has made the impossible possible, and we’re so proud of him for raising the Indian flag so high in an international competition,” he said. Actors like Kamal Haasan and Tamil Nadu’s Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin also shared their congratulations on X (formerly Twitter).
As for the future of Ajith Kumar Racing, the actor-turned-racer is committed to continuing his journey. “The plan is to stay consistent while balancing my cinema career and passion for racing. I hope the team will be around for many years,” he said with a determined tone.
Kumar has shown that he is not just a film star, but also a strong competitor on the racetrack. His transition from Tamil cinema icon to international racing sensation highlights his grit, determination, and passion for life. With the Michelin 24H Barcelona Main Race approaching, all eyes will be on Kumar—the actor, the racer, the legend.