Valentino Rossi: “I’m very excited to compete in FIA WEC”
Earlier this week, it was confirmed that seven-time MotoGP World Champion Valentino Rossi will compete in the 2024 FIA World Endurance Championship.
The Italian driver attended the official WEC rookie test in Bahrain last month where he tested the Oreca 07 Gibson LMP2 car but next season, Rossi will drive the BMW M4 GT3 in the WEC's all-new LMGT3 category.
Set to race with Belgian squad Team WRT, Rossi's team-mates in the No. 46 M4 GT3 car will be announced in the upcoming weeks. Confirmed to drive the team's sister GT3 entry so far is Brazil's Augusto Farfus.
When asked about his foray into endurance racing, Rossi commented: “It is the next step for me to participate in a world championship, not only in Europe but to race globally again. I am already familiar with the car after this season, but the format with three drivers from three different performance categories will be new for me. Overall, I believe we will be very well positioned.”
Valentino Rossi will race in the WEC in 2024!
— FIA World Endurance Championship (@FIAWEC) November 27, 2023
Yes, you read that right. @ValeYellow46 will race in the LMGT3 class with BMW M Team WRT. He will be the first MotoGP World Champion to compete in a full season of our Championship! #WEC #VR46 pic.twitter.com/cvITwjIuGx
BMW's Head of Motorsport, Andreas Roos, added: “Valentino Rossi made a strong debut at Le Mans this season, winning immediately in the BMW M4 GT3. Overall, his first season as a BMW M works driver has been very impressive. I am convinced that he will play an important role and be a crowd favorite in the FIA WEC. Augusto Farfus, with his experience and driving skill, will be a crucial pillar for the LMGT3 program.”
More team and driver line-up news for the 2024 WEC season will follow soon.
Click HERE to read more about next year's entry list.
