Chennai, Nov 23 (NationPress) Actress Shalini has joined her husband, actor Ajith Kumar, in Venice, Italy, where he was honored with the title of Gentleman Driver of the Year 2025. Expressing her joy, she stated that it was a privilege to stand by her husband during this prestigious event.

On her Instagram account, Shalini shared several photos from the occasion, writing, "I feel privileged to be alongside my husband in Venice as he receives the 'Gentleman Driver of the Year 2025' award, a tribute to the late entrepreneur and racing driver, Philippe Charriol."

The accolade was conferred by the SRO Motorsports Group, which is recognized as a leader in global GT racing. The group’s CEO, Stéphane Ratel, is a prominent figure in international motorsport.

This award serves as a commendation for actor Ajith Kumar, who pursued his ambition of becoming a car racer this year. He unveiled his team, Ajith Kumar Racing, which proudly participated in numerous challenging international racing championships and achieved several accolades. Notably, Ajith Kumar didn’t just own the team; he actively competed in races alongside his team members.

In October 2023, Ajith Kumar Racing announced the end of the racing season, expressing gratitude in a heartfelt message.

He stated, "We could share countless stories from this remarkable year, but that’s a tale for another time. What matters is that we became stronger with each lap and every challenge. This is merely the beginning."

The team noted that behind each race weekend were countless hours of meticulous preparation, setbacks, and unwavering determination.

"The mechanics and engineers dedicated sleepless nights to perfecting the machinery. The drivers adjusted to new tracks, teams, and weather conditions, pushing their physical and mental boundaries," the team reflected.

"There were instances of disappointment, mechanical failures, missed chances, and races that didn’t unfold as expected. Yet, every setback became a building block. Each lap, win or loss, contributed to the team's resilience and understanding of international competition," they explained.

Ajith Kumar Racing’s inaugural year was marked by significant milestones. It became the first Indian team to participate full-time in various European and Middle Eastern endurance series, and the year also witnessed the team achieving its first international podium.

"This success wouldn’t have been possible without the steadfast support from individuals and organizations that believed in our journey," they expressed, thanking series organizers, partner teams, team members, support staff, and their fans for their continuous encouragement and faith throughout every race, post, and late night at the paddock.

As the first season concluded, Ajith Kumar Racing emerged not just as a competitive team but as a team that evolved.

"We couldn’t have achieved this without everyone who supported us. This season was built on hard work and humility. We will carry the lessons learned into the next chapter with even greater focus and dedication," said Ajith Kumar, the team owner.

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IANS

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