Valentino Rossi FIA WEC Rookie Test in BMW LMDh Hypercar

The 8 Hours of Bahrain on November 2, 2024, marks the end of BMW M Motorsport’s debut season in the Hypercar class of the FIA World Endurance Championship (FIA WEC). On Sunday, November 3, 2024, following the race, the FIA WEC Rookie Test is scheduled, where Valentino Rossi (ITA), Dan Harper (GBR), and Max Hesse (GER) will take the wheel of the BMW M Hybrid V8.

“I am thrilled that I can test the Hypercar. We have been looking for a date for a long time, and now it has finally worked out. I really wanted to do this test to get a feel for what the BMW M Hybrid V8 can do. Many thanks to BMW M Motorsport for this opportunity. For me, the Hypercars are the MotoGP of prototype racing. They have a lot of power and are very impressive. I prepared in the BMW M Motorsport simulator and already got a first impression, but Sunday in Bahrain in the real car will be even more exciting. I am very curious to see what potential I have in the BMW M Hybrid V8.” – Valentino Rossi

The trio has prepared for their Rookie Test in the BMW M Motorsport simulator in Munich (GER). Hesse was involved in the development work during the season. He and Harper have also previously completed an aerodynamics test. For Rossi, it will be his premiere in the cockpit of the LMDh car.

The day before the Rookie Test, Team WRT will enter the race with two BMW M Hybrid V8s, two BMW M4 GT3s, and the goal of ending the 2024 season with a highlight. In the #15 BMW M Hybrid V8, Raffaele Marciello (SUI), Dries Vanthoor (BEL), and Marco Wittmann (GER) are aiming for another podium after their second place at Fuji a few weeks ago. The same goes for Robin Frijns (NED), René Rast (GER), and Sheldon van der Linde (RSA) in the sister #20 car.

In the LMGT3 class, Augusto Farfus, Sean Gelael, and Darren Leung are in third place in the drivers’ standings with 85 points. Second place is only five points away and can still be captured with a good race result. In car #46, Ahmad Al Harthy (OMA), Maxime Martin (BEL), and Valentino Rossi will compete, the trio having stood on the Fuji podium, finishing third.