BMW Signs Rossi to Factory Driver Lineup

BMW M Motorsport has signed Valentino Rossi to a factory contract that will make the former MotoGP star available for other race appearances outside of his already-announced program with Team WRT.

Rossi, 43, was confirmed last week as part of BMW Team WRT’s lineup for the Liqui-Moly Bathurst 12 Hour and the Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe powered by AWS season.

The seven-time MotoGP top-category world champion contested his first full season of GTWC Europe with WRT this year and has stayed with the Belgian squad through its transition from Audi to BMW.

Rossi’s new status as a BMW factory driver locks in a relationship with the manufacturer in addition to the team.

“I am very proud to become an official BMW M works driver and it is a great opportunity,” said Rossi, who retired from MotoGP in 2021.

“Last year I started racing seriously in cars and I finished my first season with the WRT team with whom I got on very well and I am very happy that the WRT team chose BMW M Motorsport as a new partner.

“I have already had a chance to test the BMW M4 GT3 twice and the feeling with the car is very good. I think we could be competitive next season.

“Also, BMW M Motorsport has given me the opportunity to race with two very strong drivers next year, Maxime Martin and Augusto Farfus.

“I still have a lot to learn and improve, but I hope to be up to the task and fast enough to fight during the race weekends.”

BMW has stated that Rossi will “be able to make further race and test appearances in various BMW M Motorsport racing cars” with details of drives outside of his WRT program to be announced at a later date.

Rossi is the 21st member of BMW’s factory driver lineup for the 2023 season joining Dries Vanthoor, Charles Weerts, Colton Herta, Rene Rast, Maxime Martin, Dan Harper, Max Hesse and Neil Verhagen on the list of new additions.

“Valentino Rossi needs no introduction,” commented BMW M Motorsport director Andreas Roos.

“As one of the most successful motorcycle riders of all time, he has made history.

“His successes on the racetrack and his personality have quite rightly made him a living legend.

“But Valentino has proved that he is also an excellent racer on four wheels. He has shown that car racing has become his second motorsport home, and he brings all his passion, skills and commitment to this new chapter of his career.

“It’s fantastic that Valentino will be joining our BMW M Motorsport family as a new works driver next year. We’re really looking forward to working together – welcome aboard Vale!”