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The official BMW M drivers team for 2023 is gaining a well-known 21st member. Valentino Rossi and BMW M Motorsport have, in fact, entered into an agreement, which was announced last week, and goes beyond racing with the BMW M Team WRT. The nine-time motorcycle World Champion will be participating in the Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe powered by AWS and the Bathurst 12 Hours with the BMW M4 GT3 next year. He’ll also be available for other races and tests with BMW M Motorsport racing cars.
"Valentino Rossi needs no introduction. As one of the most successful motorcycle riders of all time, he has made history. His successes on the racetrack and his personality have quite rightly made him a living legend," Andreas Roos, Head of BMW M Motorsport, stated. "But Valentino has proven that he’s 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 driver next year. We’re really looking forward to working together. Welcome aboard Vale!"
"I am very proud to become an official BMW M driver and it is a great opportunity," said Rossi. "Last year, I started racing seriously in cars and ended my first season with the WRT team, with which I got on very well, and I am very happy that the team has chosen 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."
His status as an official driver will offer him many other options. In addition to his current commitments, Rossi will be able to participate in other races and tests with different BMW M Motorsport racing cars, and he’ll also get the chance to represent BMW M Motorsport. The details will be announced at a later date.
