MotoGP legend Valentino Rossi signs up to race Mount Panorama – but will NOT ride a bike

The fastest man on two wheels in MotoGP, now Italian star Valentino Rossi will put his mettle to the test in Australia’s biggest endurance race at Mount Panorama in the GT3 racing series.

The seven-time MotoGP champion is likely to be confirmed as a guest racer at the Bathurst 12-Hour, returning to the mountain for the first time since the Covid pandemic.

Since retiring from MotoGP in 2021, the 43-year-old has been testing himself on four wheels and this year he tested the new BMW M4 GT3 at the Barcelona-Catalunya circuit.

Rossi driving the Audi R8 LMS evo II GT3 of Team WRT during the Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe at Circuit de Barcelona Catalunya

BMW M Motorsport has confirmed it will field two cars in the Bathurst 12-Hour return with the M4 GT3 to make its Southern Hemisphere debut, likely with Rossi at the wheel of one of them.

While no drivers were confirmed as part of the BMW announcement, Rossi is expected to join BMW’s team of factory drivers next year and be a favorite to go down.

It kicks off a delightful endurance race that will see Rossi battle not only against the international GT contingent, but also against a strong field of Aussie V8 Supercars drivers.

Grant Denyer celebrates on the podium at the 2018 Bathurst 12 Hour Race at Mount Panorama on February 4, 2018

Names like Bathurst 1000 champion Shane van Gisbergen, Chaz Mostert, Craig Lowndes and Jamie Whincup are some of the names that have tackled the Bathurst 12-Hour in recent years.

“As the world returns to Mount Panorama in 2023, a two-car BMW factory team is a great addition to what is shaping up as a world-class field,” said Shane Rudzis, event director for Bathurst 12-Hour.

BMW’s driver roster is remarkably strong and they have something very special planned for their 12-hour roster that will add even more impact.

“The BMW M4 GT3 making its Australian racing debut at Mount Panorama will attract a lot of attention and knowing BMW we know they will do everything they can to try and win.”

While ‘The Doctor’s achievements in MotoGP are well documented, he is also no stranger to four-wheel racing.

The nine-time MotoGP champion made his GT racing debut in 2012 racing a Ferrari and has also tested F1 cars throughout his career. place ends on his resume.

“This year I raced the Audi, but next year I’ll be in the BMW,” Rossi told Sky of his manufacturer change.

Rossi and his wife Francesca Sofia Novello before on the red carpet at the FIM MotoGP Awards Ceremony at Fira de Valencia on November 14, 2021

“I’m going to be a factory driver and I’m very happy. I have already tested the car, I will stay in the same team as last season. We just change cars.

“I tested it (BMW) after the last race in Barcelona. It’s beautiful, very modern, twin-turbo, bigger than the Audi. It seems easier to drive.’

According to Andreas Roos, head of BMW M Motorsport, the brand is building a significant racing program in 2023.

“With Rene Rast, Maxime Martin, Dries Vanthoor and Charles Weerts we have improved what was already a very strong team of factory drivers,” he said.

“We also welcome BMW M team WRT as a new BMW M Motorsport team. We face some exciting sporting challenges in 2023 and the years to come, for which we need the best teams and drivers. After all, the aim is to add something to the success story of the BMW brand in motorsport.’