Multiple Moto GP champion and legend Valentino Rossi and BMW M Motorsport have agreed a works commitment that goes beyond the race appearances with BMW M Team WRT.
The nine-time motorcycle world champion, who called time on his long successful career on two wheels in autumn 2021, is set to contest the Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe powered by AWS and the Bathurst 12 Hour in the BMW M4 GT3 next year — and will also be available for further race and test appearances in BMW M Motorsport racing cars.
The 43-year-old Rossi, nicknamed 'The Doctor”, celebrated his first world championship title in the 125cc class in 1997. He followed this up with the title in the 250cc class two years later. He was promoted to the highest Grand Prix category at the time in 2000, the 500cc class, where he was crowned world champion in 2001. This category was superseded by MotoGP the following year and Rossi remained the measure of all things.
By 2005 he had added a further four world championship titles to his collection, with titles number eight and nine following in 2008 and 2009. Rossi continued to do battle for the world championship crown regularly after that.
“Valentino Rossi needs no introduction. As one of the most successful motorcycle riders of all time, he has made history. His successes on the racetrack and his personality have rightly made him a living legend,” said Andreas Roos, head of BMW M Motorsport.
“But Valentino has proved 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 join our BMW M Motorsport family as a works driver next year. We’re really looking forward to working together — welcome aboard Vale.”
“I am proud to become an official BMW M works driver and it is a great opportunity,” said Rossi. “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. Also, BMW M Motorsport has given me the opportunity to race with two very strong drivers next year, Maxime Martin and Augusto Farfus. I still have a lot to learn and improve, but I hope to be up to the task and fast enough to fight during the race weekends.”
The Doc is back!
It's official — Valentino Rossi will race for BMW on four wheels
The nine-time motorcycle world champion will join Maxime Martin and Augusto Farfus in the coming endurance classic at Bathurst, Australia
Multiple Moto GP champion and legend Valentino Rossi and BMW M Motorsport have agreed a works commitment that goes beyond the race appearances with BMW M Team WRT.
The nine-time motorcycle world champion, who called time on his long successful career on two wheels in autumn 2021, is set to contest the Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe powered by AWS and the Bathurst 12 Hour in the BMW M4 GT3 next year — and will also be available for further race and test appearances in BMW M Motorsport racing cars.
The 43-year-old Rossi, nicknamed 'The Doctor”, celebrated his first world championship title in the 125cc class in 1997. He followed this up with the title in the 250cc class two years later. He was promoted to the highest Grand Prix category at the time in 2000, the 500cc class, where he was crowned world champion in 2001. This category was superseded by MotoGP the following year and Rossi remained the measure of all things.
By 2005 he had added a further four world championship titles to his collection, with titles number eight and nine following in 2008 and 2009. Rossi continued to do battle for the world championship crown regularly after that.
“Valentino Rossi needs no introduction. As one of the most successful motorcycle riders of all time, he has made history. His successes on the racetrack and his personality have rightly made him a living legend,” said Andreas Roos, head of BMW M Motorsport.
“But Valentino has proved 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 join our BMW M Motorsport family as a works driver next year. We’re really looking forward to working together — welcome aboard Vale.”
“I am proud to become an official BMW M works driver and it is a great opportunity,” said Rossi. “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. Also, BMW M Motorsport has given me the opportunity to race with two very strong drivers next year, Maxime Martin and Augusto Farfus. I still have a lot to learn and improve, but I hope to be up to the task and fast enough to fight during the race weekends.”
Rossi also took part in testing in various racing cars earlier — including a Formula One Ferrari and Mercedes. There were also starts at the Monza rally (ITA) in 2009 as well as two races in the World Rally Championship, one in 2006 in New Zealand and one in 2009 in Wales. In 2019, Rossi competed in an endurance race in Abu Dhabi, UAE.
After retiring from motorcycle racing after the season finale in 2021, Rossi embarked on a new chapter of car racing. He contested the GT World Challenge Europe with Team WRT in the 2022 season.
The new year will see him compete in that race series and in the endurance classic at Bathurst, Australia, alongside his BMW M works driver colleagues Maxime Martin (Belgium) and Augusto Farfus (Brazil).
His status as works driver also gives him plenty of other options. In addition to his fixed engagements, Rossi will be able to make further race and test appearances in various BMW M Motorsport racing cars.
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