Valentino Rossi, seven-time MotoGP champion, will have the opportunity to drive BMW's LMDh prototype during the rookie test of the World Endurance Championship (WEC) in Bahrain on November 3, 2024. This test will take place a day after the conclusion of the WEC season at the same circuit.
During a GT World Challenge Europe event in Monza, Rossi himself confirmed the news and expressed his excitement for this new opportunity. The Italian had his first experience with a prototype last year in Bahrain, when he drove a WRT-run LMP2. Now, his goal is to test the BMW M Hybrid V8 and assess if there could be a place for him in the Hypercar class in the future.
A new step in his endurance career
BMW Motorsport head Andreas Roos had already hinted at Rossi’s participation in this test during the penultimate round of the WEC in Fuji. Although he tried to maintain the mystery, he confirmed that Rossi would drive the car at some point this year. This test is part of BMW's strategy to evaluate new drivers and offer opportunities to those coming from other disciplines.
The rookie test in Bahrain has become an ideal platform for manufacturers like BMW to introduce drivers to endurance racing. In the past, stars like Fernando Alonso and Sébastien Ogier have used this test to experiment with endurance prototypes, and now Rossi joins that list of renowned drivers.
Rossi and his future in endurance racing
Since his debut in the WEC with the BMW M4 GT3 in 2024, Rossi has shown a clear interest in continuing to explore endurance racing. Although it has not yet been confirmed if he will compete regularly in the Hypercar class, this test with the BMW LMDh could open new doors for him in both the WEC and the IMSA SportsCar Championship.
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