Ajith thanks CM Vijay for visiting Silverstone, hopes India hosts Le Mans Cup. Video
Ajith Kumar and Vijay sharing the same racing stage in the UK on September 12 is quite a crossover, but this time, there is more to it than their decades-old fan rivalry. Ajith revealed that Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and actor Vijay has been invited by his racing team to Silverstone, thanking him for making time to attend the event. He also expressed hope that motorsport events of this scale could one day be hosted in India.
Vijay is set to wave the green flag at the Michelin Le Mans Cup race at Silverstone on Saturday. He will attend the fifth round of the 2026 championship as a special guest and cheer for the Indian drivers taking part in the race.Ajith thanks Vijay ahead of his Silverstone visit
Speaking about Vijay’s visit, Ajith said the two have known each other for 34 years, dating back to their time in the film industry.
“C Joseph is 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,” Ajith said.
He also praised the government’s efforts to promote sports and said Vijay’s visit could offer a chance to explore whether similar events could be hosted in India.
“They have been doing a lot to promote sports, and they’re looking at sport as well. So, yes, we did extend the invitation for him to come and see what it would take for India and Chennai to host events like these. My wish is to see these events come to India,” he added.
Watch the video here: View this post on Instagram A post shared by Thalapathy Vijay Family (@tvkvijay.family)
The Le Mans Cup also confirmed Vijay’s appearance on X, announcing that he would wave the green flag in front of the 44-car grid and support the Indian drivers competing in the UK.Ajith and Indian drivers at Le Mans Cup
Ajith will compete in the LMP3 Pro/Am category for Ajith RedAnt by Virage, alongside French driver Romain Vozniak.
There will also be an all-Indian pairing on the grid. Former Formula One driver Narain Karthikeyan and Aditya Patel will compete for Ajith RedAnt Racing in the LMP3 class.
For Ajith, who has balanced acting with his passion for motorsport for years, the Silverstone race is another chapter in his racing journey. Vijay’s presence adds a different layer to the weekend, bringing two of Tamil cinema’s biggest names together away from the film set.Vijay's sports push
Vijay’s Silverstone visit also comes shortly after he unveiled a development roadmap for Chennai, which included proposals for a new Secretariat complex as well as dedicated Olympic and motorsport cities in the state capital.
His appearance at Silverstone, therefore, carries significance beyond the star power. Ajith’s comments also underline his hope that India, and Chennai in particular, could one day host events of this scale.
And then there is the obvious bit of history.
Ajith and Vijay have been at the centre of one of Tamil cinema’s longest-running fan rivalries. The two rose to prominence around the same time in the 1990s, and comparisons between their films, box office numbers and stardom have followed them for decades. Their fans have carried that rivalry from theatres to social media and across generations.- EndsPublished By: Anisha RaoPublished On: Sep 11, 2026 23:34 ISTALSO READ | Gladiators: Ajith Kumar's documentary trailer turns theatres into cheering arenas
