Written by Owen Bradley
Credit: Patrick Hecq
Valentino Rossi will drive in the World Endurance Championship Bahrain Rookie Test, with a Team WRT LMP2 car.
Rossi has spent the last 2 years of his life, racing in the GT World Challenge. When I had the chance to meet him earlier this year, he stated: "My dream now, after MotoGP, is to eventually compete in the full Le Mans 24 Hours and also the World Endurance, with the Hypercar class with BMW."
Rossi has had a stellar GT Career so far, taking Victory in 2023 at the Misano Sprint Round, which you can read here: https://www.dive-bomb.com/post/valentino-rossi-wins-in-misano-gtwce-2023 Rossi managed to take three podiums throughout 2023, and finished an incredible P6 in the 2023 Spa 24 Hours as well, at one point looking strong for a podium. However this doesn't even begin to tell the full tale of what his GT career has looked like. In January 2023, he achieved a podium on debut at the Dubai 24 Hours, his debut race in Dubai and with the BMW GT3 car, a truly exceptional result.
Credit: Franck Dubray
In June 2023, he Won the Le Mans Cup - more of a Le Mans testing race for 2024, where the competitors are likely to then graduate to the World Endurance Championship in some capacity.
But this Sunday, the 5th of November 2023, he will be participating in the WEC Rookie Test at Bahrain, in the LMP2 car for the first time ever. Rossi had this to say: “I’m very happy to be trying the LMP2 for the first time! It’s a great opportunity from Team WRT, because we have plans for me to test the BMW Hypercar in the future. So, before testing that, I think it’s good experience to try the LMP2 as it’s similar in terms of downforce and I’m curious to understand my potential.
Credit: Motorsport Images - This is the LMP2 car he will drive
I’m also looking forward to being in Bahrain to watch the final race of the season, and as I’m hoping to race in the WEC in the future, it will be good to understand the atmosphere and the structure of the event.”
Valentino Rossi will be attending the WEC Bahrain 8 Hours endurance race on Saturday as well, he will be fully Immersed in the WEC atmosphere this weekend, and we all eagerly await to see him in the Rookie Test.
It doesn't appear as though you will be able to watch the Rookie test on TV, so we will be awaiting the photos and results of this test, to see just how competitive he was.
Credit: BMW Social Media
One thing is certain, you can come right back here on Sunday, for my full update on how the rookie test went for Valentino Rossi, and what his future might mean. He will also be testing the BMW Hypercar at some point before the end of 2023 as well.
What do you think? is this good news for the MotoGP legend? or would you prefer to see him in GT's for another year or two? Let us know in the comments!
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