MotoGP legend Valentino Rossi signs up to race at Mount Panorama – but WON’T be riding a motorbike

He was the fastest man on two wheels in MotoGP, now Italian star Valentino Rossi is set to test his mettle in Australia’s greatest 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 which returns 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 tested the new BMW’s new M4 GT3 at the Barcelona-Catalunya circuit.

Even at 43, Rossi feels the need for speed and has made a switch to BMW with an appearance in Australia at Bathurst likely

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 that it will enter two cars in the return of the Bathurst 12-Hour with the M4 GT3 to make its southern hemisphere debut, likely with Rossi behind the wheel of one of them.

While no drivers were confirmed as part of the BMW announcement, Rossi is expected to be among BMW’s squad of factory drivers for next year and a favourite to head down under.

It sets up a mouthwatering endurance race that will see Rossi compete against not only the international GT contingent but a strong field of Aussie V8 Supercars drivers.

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

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

‘As the world returns to Mount Panorama in 2023, a two-car factory BMW team is an awesome addition to what is shaping as a world-class field,’ Bathurst 12-Hour event director Shane Rudzis said.

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

‘The BMW M4 GT3 making its Australian racing debut at Mount Panorama will draw a lot of attention and knowing BMW, we know they will give it everything to try and win.’

While ‘The Doctor’s’ feats in MotoGP have been well documented, he is no stranger to racing on four wheels either.

The nine-time MotoGP champion made his GT racing debut in 2012 racing in a Ferrari and has also tested F1 cars in his career, recently finished 17th in the iconic Spa 24 Hour event, 16th in the GT World Endurance Challenge and has fifth and sixth place finishes on his resume.  

‘This year I raced with the Audi but next year I will be in the BMW,’ Rossi told Sky about his switch of manufacturers.

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

‘I will become a factory driver and I am very happy. I have already tested the car, I will remain in the same team as last season. We are only changing cars.

‘I tested it (BMW) after the last race in Barcelona. It is 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 towards a significant racing program in 2023.

‘We have improved what was already a very strong squad of works drivers with Rene Rast, Maxime Martin, Dries Vanthoor and Charles Weerts,’ he said.

‘We also welcome BMW M team WRT as a new BMW M Motorsport team. We are facing some exciting sporting challenges in 2023 and the years to come, for which we need the best teams and drivers. After all, the goal is to add to the success story of the BMW brand in motor racing.’