T.N. Chief Minister Vijay flags off Silverstone motor race in U.K. as actor Ajith competes

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay flagged off the Michelin Le Mans Cup at the Silverstone circuit in Northampton, U.K., on Saturday (September 12, 2026) evening, just past 5 p.m. local time. He also met with and spent time with his contemporary, actor and motorsports racer Ajith Kumar, posing with him at the venue and in the race car.

Mr. Vijay, who arrived in London on Friday (September 11), is on his first foreign visit after his party’s win in the Tamil Nadu Assembly election in May 2026. During this visit, he is also expected to hold discussions with industry and company heads with a view of attracting investments for Tamil Nadu.

Tamil Nadu Public Works and Sports Minister Aadhav Arjuna could be seen with the Chief Minister prior to the start of the race. Mr. Vijay sat briefly on the side of Mr. Ajith Kumar’s car prior the start of the race. A large crowd from the Tamil diaspora was in attendance in the stands.

Earlier this month, Mr. Vijay had announced that he would establish a ‘Motor Sports City’ in Tamil Nadu to host Formula 1, 2, 3, and 4 races. He also announced the intention to build an ‘Olympic City’ in Chennai, which would train athletes for participating in the Olympics.

Mr. Ajith Kumar, a participant in the Silverston race and a former colleague of Mr. Vijay, thanked the Chief Minister for coming to the circuit. “My wish is to see these events come to India,” Mr. Ajith Kumar said in a reel posted on social media, adding that the visit would enable the Chief Minister to see what it would take for India and Chennai to host such events.

Mr. Ajith Kumar, representing Ajith RedAnt by Virage (the team), is competing in the LMP3 Pro/Am category and driving a Ligier along with French driver Romain Vozniak.