Racing legend confirmed for BMW WEC seat

BMW has confirmed that it will again field MotoGP legend Valentino Rossi in this year's World Endurance Championship (WEC).  The nine-time motorcycling world champion is set to compete in the LMGT3 category, in pursuit of the WEC title and victory in the iconic 24 Hours of Le Mans.  Rossi will, of course, be part of the #46 line-up, featuring Kelvin van der Linde and Ahmad Al Harthy. The former partnered the Italian in 2023, whilst van der Linde has joined BMW this year. The trio will be driving a BMW M4 GT3 EVO this season, with their season starting with the the WEC official prologue in Qatar towards the end of February.  That event takes place at the Losail International Circuit, the venue which has hosted the past three Qatar Grands Prix.  Last year was Rossi's first in WEC, with the Italian having claimed podiums in Imola and Fuji. On his Le Mans debut, the icon's team unfortunately retired.  Rossi is targeting a strong year and, in particular, a podium at the legendary French circuit. "Very happy to continue my experience in the FIA WEC, as last year was a strong debut season," said Rossi.  "It’s great to once again race at some fantastic tracks, that I know well from racing motorcycles, and this makes me enjoy racing in the FIA WEC.  "Le Mans is of course the most important one, we were unlucky last year, but we will fight for the podium in 2025!"