Valentino Rossi, a seven-time MotoGP champion, is planning to continue racing a WRT BMW M4 GT3 in two series. This decision comes after only his fourth year racing full-time in cars, following his retirement from two wheels at the end of 2021. Rossi expressed his fondness for racing the GT3 car and stated that these two championships are the top two in the world.
As part of BMW’s factory driver lineup, Rossi suggested that he is unlikely to take part in the Sprint Cup segment of the 2024 GTWCE at Brands Hatch and Misano next year. Despite his busy schedule, which includes MotoGP rounds with his VR46 squad, he emphasized his desire to do fewer races rather than more. Although he competed in the Bathurst 12 Hours this year, Rossi hinted that he might not participate in the Intercontinental GT Challenge event next year due to conflicts with his 46th birthday celebrations.
Rossi plans to celebrate his 46th birthday in mid-February next year, an important milestone as the number 46 has been his race number throughout his MotoGP career. He also expressed interest in racing at Silverstone, a circuit where he achieved victory in MotoGP in 2015. Rossi mentioned his desire to compete in the British GT series at Silverstone and Oulton Park. This decision reflects his passion for racing on four wheels and his love for iconic circuits like Silverstone.
In addition to continuing to race in the Endurance Cup leg of the GTWCE and participating in a WEC campaign in the new LMGT3 class, Rossi will also compete in select races throughout Europe during 2024.
Despite having raced motorcycles for over two decades before switching to cars full-time, Rossi feels completely at home behind the wheel of a sports car. He has been honing his driving skills since making the switch and has quickly become one of BMW’s top drivers.
“I’m really enjoying driving these cars,” said Rossi after competing at Bathurst earlier this year. “It’s different from what I was used to on motorcycles but it’s still fun.”
With two championship titles already under their belt and several more on their radar, BMW is thrilled to have one of their most successful drivers ever on board their factory team.
“Valentino is an absolute legend,” said BMW’s motorsport director Jens Marquardt when announcing Rossi’s signing last year. “We’re excited to see what he can do behind the wheel of our sports cars.”