Arguably the greatest motorcycle racer ever, Valentino Rossi, has joined BMW M as a works driver and will race in the GT World Challenge Europe and at the famed Bathurst 12 Hour.
The nine-time motorcycle world champion competed in the 2022 iteration of the GT World Challenge Europe series with Team WRT in an Audi R8 LMS. He will race a BMW M4 GT3 in this year’s championship.
“I am very proud to become an official BMW M works driver and it is a great opportunity,” Rossi said. “Last year I started racing seriously in cars and I finished my first season with the WRT team with whom I got on very well and I am very happy that the WRT team chose BMW M Motorsport as a new partner. I have already had a chance to test the BMW M4 GT3 twice and the feeling with the car is very good. I think we could be competitive next season.”
Watch: Valentino Rossi Is A Real Talent Behind The Wheel Too
Rossi will race alongside teammates Maxime Martin and Augusto Farfus. The German automaker says that he will be able to make further race and test appearances in various BMW M Motorsport racing cars throughout the year.
“Valentino Rossi needs no introduction. As one of the most successful motorcycle riders of all time, he has made history,” head of BMW M Motorsport Andreas Roos added. “His successes on the racetrack and his personality have quite rightly made him a living legend. But Valentino has proved that he is also an excellent racer on four wheels. He has shown that car racing has become his second motorsport home, and he brings all his passion, skills and commitment to this new chapter of his career. It’s fantastic that Valentino will be joining our BMW M Motorsport family as a new works driver next year. We’re really looking forward to working together – welcome aboard Vale!”
