MotoGP legend Valentino Rossi has been confirmed amid Team WRT’s LMGT3 driver line-up for his second FIA World Endurance Championship season.
The nine-time MotoGP champion will, once again, co-drive the #46 BMW M4 GT3 EVO with Ahmad Al Harthy and newly joined BMW driver Kelvin van der Linde.
In the other #31 BMW, Augusto Farfus will team up with reigning LMGT3 Le Mans 24 Hours winner Yasser Shahin and former GT World Challenge Europe (Silver Cup and overall) champion Timur Boguslavskiy.
Since retiring from MotoGP, the Italian will approach his fourth season in sportscar racing and his third in BMW machinery.
Rossi, who tested a BMW Hypercar last year, said: “Very happy to continue my experience in the FIA WEC, as last year was a strong debut season.
“We had some good races including two podiums and we want to try to be stronger and faster.
“We will work hard together with BMW to improve our performance and be more competitive in every race.
“Le Mans is of course the most important one, we were unlucky last year, but we will fight for the podium in 2025.”
Van der Linde switches manufacturer for 2025
During the 2024 season, Van der Linde competed for the Akkodis ASP Lexus team in their #78 LMGT3 entry, partnering Boguslavskiy for three out of eight races including the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
The South African is a two-time winner at the 24 Hours of the Nurburgring and a two-time champion in the ADAC GT Masters series.
Van der Linde added: “I am really excited to join the #46 crew, with Vale and Ahmad, two drivers I have been watching closely in the FIA WEC last year.
“Vale has become an all-rounded GT driver, I have already worked with him in the past, I know his commitment and his data-focused way of working.
“Ahmad is one of the best Bronze drivers in the field, and we can be proud to have him on board.
“The three of us can make a very good team.
“All of us have the experience of a first LMGT3 season in WEC, we can put that experience together and go for some big results, including at Le Mans, which is the one we are all looking to be successful at.
“I am really excited and can’t wait to start.”
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