Rossi to Make Circuit de la Sarthe Debut in Road to Le Mans

Former MotoGP star Valentino Rossi will make his debut at the Circuit de la Sarthe next month driving a Team WRT-run BMW M4 GT3 in the Road to Le Mans support races.

The seven-time champion in top-level Grand Prix motorcycle racing will compete in the second round of the Michelin Le Mans Cup season during the 24 Hours of Le Mans event.

Rossi is the first confirmed driver in the No. 46 BMW, which is one of 58 cars on the provisional entry list for the pair of 55-minute races.

The Italian, who drives for WRT in Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe powered by AWS, has previously expressed interest in competing at Le Mans in the 24-hour race.

Despite being new to the Circuit de la Sarthe, Rossi won the French motorcycle Grand Prix on the Bugatti Circuit at Le Mans three times during his successful two-wheel career.

WRT is bringing a pair of BMWs to Road to Le Mans, with factory driver Max Hesse and GTWC Europe driver Tim Whale sharing the Belgian team’s No. 31 machine.

A total of 20 cars are listed in the GT3 class, while the top LMP3 category has 38 entries.

AF Corse will bring a trio of Ferrari 296 GT3s to the grid, while Team Parker Racing and IMSA LS Group Performance are running the new Porsche 911 GT3 R.

Winward Racing is set for its Road to Le Mans debut with a Mercedes-AMG GT3 Evo and reigning Le Mans Cup champion GMB Motorsport is bringing a three-car effort split between two Honda NSX GT3 Evo22s and a BMW M4 GT3.

The updated Lamborghini Huracan GT3 EVO2 will also be present courtesy of Leipert Motorsport and Iron Lynx. Reigning Le Mans Cup LMP3 champion Racing Spirit of Leman is running an Aston Martin Vantage GT3 and Audi team Steller Motorsport ensures eight GT3 manufacturers are on the grid.

The LMP3 entry consists of the 30 cars that started the season at Barcelona last month, plus eight additional runners.

United Autosports is doubling its LMP3 representation with two extra Ligier JS P320 Nissans, while Team Virage, M Racing, Racing Spirit of Leman, Graff and DR Engineering are all bringing one additional car.

WTM by Rinaldi Racing has also joined with one of six Duquiene D08 Nissans in a field that is dominated by Ligiers.

“This year, Road to Le Mans will host a record grid,” said ACO President Pierre Fillon.

“These two races will offer spectators great battles on the track. I am also very happy to welcome a champion like Valentino Rossi, who will make his debut on the legendary circuit of the 24 Hours of Le Mans. I wish him the same success he has had on two wheels!”