MotoGP legend Valentino Rossi signs up to race at Mount Panorama – but WON’T be riding a motorbike

Once the fastest man on two wheels in MotoGP, now Italian star Valentino Rossi is ready to test his mettle in Australia’s biggest endurance race at Mount Panorama in the GT3 racing series.

The seven-time MotoGP champion is likely to be confirmed as a wild card rider at the Bathurst 12 Hours, returning to the mountain for the first time since the Covid pandemic.

Since retiring from MotoGP in 2021, the 43-year-old has been testing himself on four wheels and this year he tested the new BMW M4 GT3 at the Barcelona-Catalunya circuit.

Even at 43, Rossi feels the need for speed and has switched to BMW with a likely appearance at Bathurst in Australia.

Rossi driving Team WRT’s Audi R8 LMS evo II GT3 during the Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe at Circuit de Barcelona Catalunya

BMW M Motorsport has confirmed that it will field two cars in the Bathurst 12 Hours return with the M4 GT3 to make its Southern Hemisphere debut, likely with Rossi behind the wheel of one of them.

While no drivers were confirmed as part of BMW’s announcement, Rossi is expected to be among BMW’s factory driver squad for next year and one of the favorites to enter.

It sets up a delightful drag race that will see Rossi compete not only against the international GT contingent, but also against a strong field of Australian V8 Supercars drivers.

Grant Denyer celebrates on the podium during the 2018 Bathurst 12 hour race at Mount Panorama on February 4, 2018

The likes of Bathurst 1000 champion Shane van Gisbergen, Chaz Mostert, Craig Lowndes and Jamie Whincup are some of the names that have tackled the Bathurst 12 Hours in recent years.

“As the world returns to Mount Panorama in 2023, a two-car factory BMW team is an incredible addition to what is shaping up to be a world-class field,” said Bathurst 12-hour event director Shane Rudzis.

“BMW’s driver roster is remarkably strong and they have something very special planned for their 12-hour roster that will add even more impact.

“The BMW M4 GT3 making its Australian racing debut at Mount Panorama will attract a lot of attention and knowing BMW we know they will give it their all to try and win.”

While the ‘Doctor’s’ exploits in MotoGP have been well documented, he is also no stranger to racing on four wheels.

The nine-time MotoGP champion made his GT racing debut in 2012 competing in a Ferrari and has also tested F1 cars in his career, most recently finishing 17th in the iconic Spa 24-hour event, 16th in GT World Endurance Challenge and has fifth and sixth place. place finishes on his resume.

“This year I raced with the Audi, but next year I will be in the BMW,” Rossi told Sky about his change of manufacturer.

Rossi and his wife Francesca Sofia Novello on the red carpet before the FIM MotoGP award ceremony at Fira de Valencia on November 14, 2021

‘I will become a factory rider and I am very happy. I have already tested the car, I will stay with the same team as last season. We just changed cars.

‘I tried it (BMW) after the last race in Barcelona. It’s beautiful, very modern, twin turbo, bigger than the Audi. It seems easier to drive.

According to Andreas Roos, director of BMW M Motorsport, the brand is preparing for a major racing program in 2023.

“We have improved what was already a very strong team of works drivers with Rene Rast, Maxime Martin, Dries Vanthoor and Charles Weerts,” he said.

“We also welcome the BMW M WRT team as a new BMW M Motorsport team. We face some exciting sporting challenges in 2023 and the years to come, for which we need the best teams and drivers. After all, the goal is to contribute to the success story of the BMW brand in motorsport.”