Valentino Rossi is set to be granted a test in BMW’s new LMDh specification prototype, with the sampling potentially taking place later this year according to motorsport boss Andreas Roos.
The seven-time premier class world champion is currently embarking on a new career in four-wheeled motorsport competition following his retirement from MotoGP at the conclusion of the 2021 season, the Italian signing on to become a factory BMW pilot for 2023 having run a GT3-spec Audi R8 with the world-renowned WRT team.
The Belgian squad shifted from its long-standing Audi relationship to become a BMW affiliated operation for this year and brought Rossi along for the ride, his primary programme this year set to be in the German marque’s M4 GT3 machine across the GT Challenge Europe series.
BMW Motorsport boss Roos though told Sportscar365 that the operation was keen to get Rossi in its all-new LMDh M-Hybrid V8 vehicle that is set to make its racing debut in the 24 Hours of Daytona later this month as Rossi looks to find a way to enter the illustrious Le Mans 24 Hours event in the future.
“In the future for sure there is the plan to give him the chance to experience a nice car like the GTP car,” explained Roos.
“The (M4) GT3 is already a nice one but the GTP for sure is a different level.
“If it happens this year, it would definitely be later in the year because at the moment we all have enough work to do and enough things to sort and to be best prepared (for Daytona).”
With Le Mans organisers – the ACO – set to introduce GT3 regulations to replace the incumbent GTE rules to make up the endurance classic’s GT class from 2024, Rossi could make his debut in the French race at the wheel of the M4 he will campaign this season – his first race in the car being this weekend’s 24 Hours of Dubai at the Dubai Autodrome venue.
Roos says BMW will therefore use his planned LMDh test to see how the relationship between the two parties “can develop from there”, with the manufacturer set to run at least a pair of its M Hybrid V8’s in conjunction with WRT in the Le Mans-encompassing World Endurance Championship next year.
“The first goal for Valentino is to be part of our driver line-up in the GT3 program,” continued Roos.
“As he hasn’t ever driven a car like (the LMDh), for sure we have to first have him in the car and see how he gets along with the car and how he feels in the car.
“There will be tests and then we will see from there what next steps we can do and if there is a possibility.
“It would also be a bit too early [to know]. Last year he had his first full season in a GT3 car and we have to build up from there. He continues now with us, also in the GT3 category.
“Then we’ll see when we have the first possibility for him in the test and see how we can develop from there.”
