Rossi to Get BMW LMDh Test

Photo: Michele Scudiero/BMW

BMW M Motorsport is planning to give Valentino Rossi a test in its LMDh car according to motorsport boss Andreas Roos, who indicated that an initial outing could come towards the end of this year.

The nine-time grand prix motorcycle world champion was named a factory driver last month and will take on a full season of GT3 racing with Team WRT in Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe powered by AWS as well as selected GT endurance races, including this weekend’s Hankook 24H Dubai and next month’s Liqui-Moly Bathurst 12 Hour.

While focused on his already announced race duties, Roos expressed initial plans for the 43-year-old Italian to sample the BMW M Hybrid V8 at some stage.

“In the future for sure there is the plan to give him the chance to experience a nice car like the GTP car,” Roos said. “The GT3 [car] is already a nice one but the GTP for sure is a different level.

“If it happens this year, it would definitely be later in the year because at the moment we all have enough work to do and enough things to sort and to be best prepared [for the IMSA season].”

When asked if the test could be as a forerunner for a top-class drive in either the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship or FIA World Endurance Championship in 2024 when BMW expands to both series, Roos wouldn’t completely rule out such a possibility.

The German manufacturer will likely select additional drivers for the WEC program from its existing 21-driver factory driver pool.

“The first goal for Valentino is to be part of our driver lineup in the GT3 program,” Roos said. “As he hasn’t ever driven a car like [the LMDh], for sure we have to first have him in the car and see how he gets along with the car and how he feels in the car.

“There will be tests and then we will see from there what next steps we can do and if there is a possibility.

“It would also be a bit too early [to know]. Last year he had his first full season in a GT3 car and we have to build up from there. He continues now with us, also in the GT3 category.

“Then we’ll see when we have the first possibility for him in the test and see how we can develop from there.”

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