Chennai (Commonwealth Union)_ Ajith Kumar, best known for his work in films, has recently been recognized for his passion behind the wheel. The Philippe Charriol Motorsport Group recently named the actor ‘Gentleman Driver of the Year 2025’ in Venice, Italy, which thrilled both his fans and the motorsport community. The prize was granted by the SRO Motorsports Group, a renowned authority in GT racing, whose CEO, Stéphane Ratel, is well-known in worldwide motorsport circles.
Sharing the happy moment on Instagram, Ajith’s wife, actor Shalini, wrote, “Honored to stand beside my husband in Venice, as he is being awarded ‘Gentleman Driver of the Year 2025’ in memory of entrepreneur and racing driver, the late Philippe Charriol.” Her post included photos of the couple with their family, capturing the celebratory atmosphere. Speaking about the recognition, Ajith expressed deep respect for the late Philippe Charriol. “I’ve heard so many wonderful things about Mr Charriol—how kind he was and how much he inspired people around him. My journey in motorsport has been challenging, exciting, and immensely rewarding,” he said.
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The award comes as a fitting recognition for Ajith, who turned his long-held dream of professional racing into reality this year. He has raced in four challenging international championships with Ajith Kumar Racing, finishing on the podium numerous times. Notably, Ajith has not confined himself to team ownership; he actively participates in races alongside his colleagues, representing India proudly. Since early 2025, Ajith Kumar Racing has competed in endurance competitions worldwide, finishing third twice and second once in 12- and 24-hour races, respectively.
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These results have brought pride not only to Tamil Nadu but also to India’s motorsport scene. Friends and colleagues point out that Ajith’s current achievement was made possible by finishing all outstanding film projects, including Vidaamuyarchi and Good Bad Ugly, before the end of 2024. With his obligations fulfilled, he has been able to devote himself entirely to racing. Even as he celebrates this milestone, Ajith is preparing for his next project, AK64, directed by Adhik Ravichandran, with official announcements anticipated shortly.
