TN Chief Minister Vijay signed off on Silverstone race in UK as actor Ajith

Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay with actor Ajith Kumar at Silverstone Circuit in Northampton, UK on Saturday. | Photo credit: Special arrangement

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay flagged off the Michelin Le Mans Cup at the Silverstone circuit in Northampton, UK on Saturday (September 12, 2026) evening just after 5:00 PM local time. He also met and spent time with his contemporary, actor and motor racing driver Ajith Kumar, posing with him at the venue and in a racing car.

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Mr Vijay, who arrived in London on Friday (September 11), is on his first foreign visit after his party won the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections in May 2026. During the visit, he is also expected to hold discussions with industry and corporate leaders to attract investment for Tamil Nadu.

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

Earlier this month, Mr Vijay announced that he would establish a “motor sports city” in Tamil Nadu to host Formula 1, 2, 3 and 4 races. He also announced plans to build an “Olympic City” in Chennai to train athletes for the Olympics.

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Mr Ajith Kumar, a Silverstone race participant and 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 allow the chief minister to see what India and Chennai would require to host such events.

Mr. Ajith Kumar, representing Ajith RedAnt by Virage (Team), competes in the LMP3 Pro/Am category driving a Ligier alongside French driver Romain Wozniak.

Published – 12 September 2026 5:00 PM IST