Valentino Rossi to Test BMW LMDh Car in Bahrain: MotoGP Legend Eyes Future in Hypercar Class

Valentino Rossi, a legendary figure in MotoGP, is set to test BMW's LMDh car for the World Endurance Championship (WEC) in Bahrain. The nine-time grand prix world champion will get the opportunity to experience the prototype WEC vehicle.

Valentino Rossi, a renowned figure in MotoGP, is set to try out a prototype car for the World Endurance Championship in Bahrain. He will be testing the BMW LMDh vehicle in the upcoming month.

Following his retirement from MotoGP at the conclusion of 2021, Rossi began a new chapter in car racing, specifically in GT Racing.

Rossi participated in the full 2022 GT World Challenge Europe season with WRT, driving an Audi. For 2023, he transitioned to driving BMW vehicles.

The Italian driver achieved his inaugural victory in the Sprint Cup GT World Challenge Europe series at Misano.

In 2024, he participated for the first time in the World Endurance Championship, competing with WRT in the LMGT3 category.

Rossi, together with Ahmad Al Harthy and Maxime Martin, has secured two podium finishes in the WEC in 2024, coming in second place at Imola and then achieving a third-place finish at Fuji the previous weekend.

Only one race is left in the WEC this season, the final event in Bahrain scheduled for November.

Following that competition, the customary test for newcomers is scheduled, during which Rossi has announced he will try out an LMDh vehicle for the first time by driving the BMW Hybrid V8 managed by WRT.

Rossi shared with it.motorsport.com that he is extremely excited to test the BMW LMDh at the rookie test, especially since he had the chance to drive the LMP2 last year.

"The upcoming objective is to experience the M Hybrid V8 firsthand."

"Who can say? Perhaps someday there will be an opportunity in Hypercar. We'll have to wait and see."

Rossi initially tried out prototype equipment for the World Endurance Championship by testing WRT’s Oreca 07 LMP2 vehicle during the rookie test in Bahrain last year.

The Italian is participating in both the WEC and GTWCE for 2024, and mentioned in May that he plans to keep doing so next year.

Nevertheless, a successful trial with the LMDh BMW might result in Rossi competing in prototype vehicles next year instead.

BMW achieved its inaugural top-tier WEC podium finish with the M Hybrid V8 at Fuji last weekend, securing second place during a challenging debut season for the vehicle in the series.

Rossi won't be present at Misano this weekend to cheer on his VR46 Academy riders during the Emilia Romagna GP, as he is participating in the Monza round of the GT World Challenge Europe.

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