Rossi Set for BMW LMDh Test in 2024

Photo: MPS Agency

Valentino Rossi is set to get a test in the BMW M Hybrid V8 at some point next year according to BMW M Motorsport director Andreas Roos, who was left impressed with the Italian’s prototype debut earlier this month.

The MotoGP legend turned laps in Team WRT’s Oreca 07 Gibson LMP2 car in the FIA World Endurance Championship rookie test in Bahrain, recording times within a second of fellow prototype rookie Charles Weerts over the course of the two sessions.

Speaking with Sportscar365, Roos insisted that Rossi’s LMP2 test was not a prerequisite for an outing in the manufacturer’s LMDh car but instead came at an opportune time for the Belgian squad.

“It was an opportunity that came up because WRT anyway had to run the rookie test in Bahrain,” Roos explained.

“At the end it was a discussion between [team principal] Vincent Vosse and the drivers. We were not really involved.

“At one stage [Valentino] asked me what I think about it, but at the end it was something that Vincent and WRT planned.”

Roos, meanwhile, reaffirmed plans for Rossi to get behind the wheel of the M Hybrid V8 next year.

“We always said that we want him to test, at one stage, the LMDh car,” he said. “It’s also a big wish from himself to test the car once. We always said we will do it but we haven’t defined a date yet.

“It will most likely happen somewhere in 2024, not in 2023. It will happen in 2024 most likely, but when, I can’t tell you right now because we have to see how it fits in all of the schedules. From his schedule to our testing schedule and so on.

“At the moment his focus is clearly on the GT3 side. It was his second year in the GT3 where he did a fantastic job. He won races and did another big step. I think we can build up on this.

“He did a good job in the LMP2 car, to be honest. He was really good. So there’s no question mark why we shouldn’t give him the chance to also test the LMDh car.”

Rossi has been tipped to be part of WRT’s projected LMGT3 effort in the WEC next year, although Roos wouldn’t outright confirm if the BMW factory driver will be in the two-car BMW M4 GT3 lineup.

The 44-year-old has remained Silver-rated by the FIA for 2024, which could benefit WRT in the Pro-Am-enforced class, which requires at least one Bronze and Silver-rated driver per lineup.

“If he’s doing it, maybe it could be a next step,” Roos said. “We don’t know yet.

“But also what he did in GT World Challenge, you can see that he improved a lot. Every race with every event he gets better and better.

“He’s a very good GT driver already. We are happy to have him in the [factory] driver lineup.”

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