Valentino Rossi, Le Mans in the sights with the BMW – WRT association?

The association between BMW and WRT could make many people happy. Among them is a man named Valentino Rossi. The ex-pilot of MotoGP, converted to motorsport, found his happiness this year in Grand Tourism, with WRT. Engaged in the GT World Challenge Europe, he notably took part in the 24 Hours of Spa on Sunday (finishing 17th) with the Belgian team. 

The Italian could see his activity develop in the coming months. If the nine-time world motorcycle champion has reaffirmed his desire to continue in motorsport, the question now is: where? 

GT World, a safe haven for Rossi

It must first be clarified that Valentino Rossi is engaged with the WRT team, and not with Audi. Which leaves “The Doctor” in an ideal situation for the coming months with the Belgian team. And it's almost a certainty: Valentino Rossi should continue in GT World Challenge Europe. “It is not yet decided but there is a good chance that I will continue my involvement in this championship” said the MotoGP legend just before the Spa 24 Hours.

On the other hand, Team WRT has not yet confirmed its presence in GT via the various SRO badged series with the recent BMW M4 GT3. However, it is in this category that the French-speaking team has won the majority of its awards over the past ten years. « We have not yet considered possible appearances for Team WRT in GT racing, says Andreas Roos, Director of BMW M Motorsport, on this subject. Over the coming months, we will make a decision regarding our racing program for the BMW M4 GT3 for the 2023 season in close collaboration with all our BMW M Motorsport teams. »

However, it is difficult to see this team leave the championship that shaped it and this alliance with BMW seems to come at the right time to continue in GT3.

ALSO READ > Valentino Rossi: “There is a good chance that I will compete in the same championship in 2023”

IMSA, and why not?

This is where we get into hypothetical scenarios. If Valentino Rossi has made his mark in the GT categories, the native of Urbino has never hidden his desire to do prototypes. And that’s good, since BMW will be present in IMSA from 2023. Of course, it will not be with the WRT team but with the RLL team. The Bavarian brand has still not announced its drivers for the American championship. Only a list of 19 names was revealed by the German firm at the start of the year (also selected to develop the LMDh program), but it would not be impossible for other external drivers to join this list. Questioned by us on the occasion of the first deployment of the LMDh in Italy, the Bavarian general staff did not wish to make any comments on the future pilots in competition. 

ALSO READ > BMW M Motorsport announces 19 drivers for 2022

Moreover, the partnership with WRT could expand this list. Enough to leave a place for Valentino Rossi, who had declared his interest in IMSA and the 24 Hours of Daytona at the end of his career in MotoGP. “Car racing has always been my second passion in my life (…) there is a very interesting championship in the United States called IMSA, including the 24 Hours of Daytona. This is not my last race in America. However, it’s my last here on a motorbike, but I hope to come back by car” Rossi then indicated in November 2021.

Ever heard of this @ValeYellow46 guy? How cool would this be 👀👀#IMSA / @NBCSports pic.twitter.com/R1iWWUSJ2b

— IMSA (@IMSA) November 29, 2021

ALSO READ > Valentino Rossi open to participation in the 24 Hours of Daytona and IMSA

Rossi at Le Mans, soon a reality?

Now that we know that WRT will operate the BMW M Hybrid V8 in WEC, the question arises: could Valentino Rossi make his debut at the Sarthe event? The main interested party has in any case already made known his desire to participate in the double round of the clock at Le Mans. " In my opinion, Le Mans is the most famous race of all. I've already ridden there in MotoGP, the circuit is good but you don't feel the weight of the history that surrounds the 24 Hours. I'm with WRT currently so why not do it with them. I hope to continue in this team and we will see what happens in the future,” declared the Italian during the GT World round at Magny-Cours in May.

Today, WRT is guaranteed to compete in the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2024 in the premier category, in Hypercar. The unknown still remains the number of cars entered by the Belgian team. But with the stature and reputation of such a driver, it is difficult to think that “The Doctor” does not figure in the plans of the French-speaking team. Especially since he conquered the Belgian clan in his first season with them. “He will probably do Le Mans at some point, Vincent Vosse told us on the sidelines of the 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps in May. He wants to do everything and I try to guide him to achieve all this in good conditions. » 

With the confidence of a team as prolific as WRT and an LMDh program assured for the latter in 2024, these conditions now seem to be met to one day see the Italian legend at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

ALSO READ >  Valentino Rossi: “Why not do Le Mans with Team WRT”