Rossi teams up with BMW

Valentino Rossi accomplished pretty much all the major milestones a racer can hope for on two wheels and he's dabbled in auto racing in the past at various levels. Last year he raced for Team WRT, but for 2023 he's teamed up with a major manufacturer.

Rossi is now a BMW M works driver for the upcoming season. He's going to race in the Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe and the Bathurst 12 Hour in the BMW M4 GT. Rossi will also take part in other race and test assignments for the manufacturer.

"I am very proud to become an official BMW M works driver and it is a great opportunity,” said Rossi. “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 said it's thrilled to have the former MotoGP world champ racing their cars. 
“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!," said Andreas Roos, head of BMW M Motorsport.