Valentino Rossi switches sides to race BMW M Motorsport racing automobiles • Complete Motorbike

Munich. The BMW M works driver squad for the 2023 season is gaining a well known 21^st member. Valentino Rossi (ITA) and BMW M Motorsport have agreed a works dedication that goes past the race appearances with BMW M Workforce WRT introduced final week. The nine-time motorbike world champion, who referred to as time on his long-standing, profitable profession on two wheels again in autumn 2021, is ready to contest the Fanatec GT World Problem Europe powered by AWS and Bathurst 12 Hour within the BMW M4 GT3 subsequent yr – and also will be out there for additional race and check appearances in BMW M Motorsport racing automobiles.

“Valentino Rossi wants no introduction. As probably the most profitable motorbike riders of all time, he has made historical past. His successes on the racetrack and his character have fairly rightly made him a residing legend,” stated Andreas Roos, Head of BMW M Motorsport. “However Valentino has proved that he’s additionally a wonderful racer on 4 wheels. He has proven that automotive racing has change into his second motorsport residence, and he brings all his ardour, expertise and dedication to this new chapter of his profession. It’s unbelievable that Valentino can be becoming a member of our BMW M Motorsport household as a brand new works driver subsequent yr. We’re actually wanting ahead to working collectively – welcome aboard Vale!”

“I’m very proud to change into an official BMW M works driver and it’s a nice alternative,” stated Rossi. “Final yr I began racing critically in automobiles and I completed my first season with the WRT staff with whom I bought on very nicely and I’m very pleased that the WRT staff selected BMW M Motorsport as a brand new accomplice. I’ve already had an opportunity to check the BMW M4 GT3 twice and the sensation with the automotive is superb. I feel we might be aggressive subsequent season. Additionally, BMW M Motorsport has given me the chance to race with two very sturdy drivers subsequent yr, Maxime Martin and Augusto Farfus. I nonetheless have quite a bit to be taught and enhance, however I hope to be as much as the duty and quick sufficient to combat through the race weekends.”

Rossi celebrated his first world championship title within the 125cc class in 1997. He adopted this up with the title within the 250cc class two years later. He was promoted to the best Grand Prix class on the time in 2000, the 500cc class, the place he was topped world champion in 2001. This class was outdated by the MotoGP the next yr, and Rossi remained the measure of all issues. By 2005 he had added an extra 4 world championship titles to his assortment, with titles quantity eight and 9 following in 2008 and 2009. Rossi continued to do battle for the world championship crown usually after that. ‘The Physician’ has additionally lengthy been dedicated to youth improvement along with his VR46 Rider Academy – a ‘college‘ that helps younger Italian riders with the objective to deliver them to MotoGP.

Rossi additionally took half in testing in varied racing automobiles early on – together with a Method 1 Ferrari and Mercedes. There have been additionally begins on the Monza rally (ITA) in 2009 in addition to two races within 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 lively motorbike racing after the season finale in 2021, Rossi launched into a brand new chapter of automotive racing. He contested the GT World Problem Europe with Workforce WRT within the 2022 season.

The brand new yr will see him compete in that race sequence and within the endurance basic at Bathurst (AUS) alongside his BMW M works driver colleagues Maxime Martin (BEL) and Augusto Farfus (BRA). His standing as works driver additionally provides him loads of different choices. Along with his present mounted engagements, Rossi will be capable to make additional race and check appearances in varied BMW M Motorsport racing automobiles. The 43-year-old may even have the chance to signify BMW M Motorsport. Particulars can be introduced at a later date.

BMW M works drivers 2023 (in alphabetical order).