BMW Hints Rossi Could Contest Indy 8H

Photo: BMW

Valentino Rossi could make his four-wheeled debut at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in next month’s Indianapolis 8 Hour presented by AWS, with the MotoGP legend-turned BMW M Motorsport factory driver understood to be in the frame for a seat in the Intercontinental GT Challenge season finale.

Rossi, a Silver-rated driver, would fit into the new-for-2025 rules change that will see all GT3 Pro cars run in a single Pro class that will mirror that of the domestic GT World Challenge America powered by AWS, which requires a Silver driver in each lineup.

The last two editions of the race had a dedicated IGTC Pro class with no driver rating requirements.

When asked by Sportscar365, BMW M Motorsport director Andreas Roos fell short of confirming that its factory Team WRT outfit will contest the Oct. 18 enduro.

However, its confirmation for this weekend’s Suzuka 1000km came just less than one month before the race.

“You never know,” Roos told Sportscar365. “Maybe yes, maybe no [on WRT competing at Indy]. We will see, if we participate and how the driver lineup could then look like.”

When asked if Rossi, who made two previous starts at The Brickyard on two-wheels, winning in his debut in 2008 in MotoGP, would be interested in contesting the GT3 enduro, Roos said: “Vale is interested in every race because he’s a race driver and he wants to race!”

Roos, meanwhile, supports SRO Motorsports Group’s decision to have only a single Pro class in this year’s edition.

“For sure it opens possibilities,” he said. “When SRO and Stephane Ratel and Abi [Hay, IGTC series manager] approached us about this topic, it was not really a question for us, the Silver mandate, because at the end, it helps the championship.

“We know that in GT World Challenge America, in their Pro category, there is a Silver driver mandated. As this is a part of the championship, this race, we should all race under the same classes, conditions and rules. This is why I appreciate it.

“This is why I said it make absolute sense, which is fine. It also gives the teams in the GTWC America the chance to go for a good result or maybe for the win.

“We also have teams running in GTWC America so I’m super happy if they have the possibility to fight for the [overall] win.”

BMW currently leads the IGTC manufacturers’ standings, with Augusto Farfus atop the drivers’ championship, which is occupied by five BMW drivers, heading into this weekend’s revived Suzuka 1000km.

Davey Euwema contributed to this report

John Dagys

John Dagys is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Sportscar365. Dagys spent eight years as a motorsports correspondent for FOXSports.com and SPEED Channel and has contributed to numerous other motorsports publications worldwide. Contact John