Former MotoGP legend Valentino Rossi made a significant step into the world of endurance racing, participating in the FIA World Endurance Championship Rookie Test. The Italian icon took the wheel of the BMW M Hybrid V8, demonstrating impressive pace and adaptability.
Rossi, who has transitioned to GT3 racing, used the opportunity to experience the power and performance of a Hypercar. With the guidance of experienced driver René Rast, Rossi quickly adapted to the challenging demands of the BMW M Hybrid V8.
Despite being a newcomer to the Hypercar category, Rossi managed to secure the second-fastest time among the rookie drivers, highlighting his natural talent and quick learning ability.
“Today was a fantastic day,” Rossi said. “I had the chance to drive the BMW M Hybrid V8 for the entire day, with the whole crew and René Rast who gave me advice. I enjoyed it a lot, the car is fantastic, very fast and very strong. It has a lot of power. The lap times were 15 seconds faster than in GT3. The tyres have great grip. It is a real race car.”
Rossi, who has transitioned to GT3 racing, used the opportunity to experience the power and performance of a Hypercar. With the guidance of experienced driver René Rast, Rossi quickly adapted to the challenging demands of the BMW M Hybrid V8.
“I was quite worried because I had never driven the Hypercar before, but I felt good from the first lap because the car is stable and gives good feedback,” Rossi added. “To go fast is very difficult, but it’s a lot of fun. I have to say thank you for the great experience and I hope that I have another chance to try the car.”
Despite being a newcomer to the Hypercar category, Rossi managed to secure the second-fastest time among the rookie drivers, highlighting his natural talent and quick learning ability.
Other Notable Performances:
- Ferrari’s Rising Star: Arthur Leclerc, Ferrari’s young development driver, impressed by topping the rookie timesheet in the Ferrari 499P.
- Alpine’s Future Talent: FIA Formula 2 driver Victor Martins showcased his potential in the Alpine A424, securing third place among the rookies.
- LMGT3 Class Dominance: Ben Barnicoat excelled in the Lexus RC F GT3, setting the fastest time among LMGT3 rookie drivers.
The 2024 FIA WEC season has concluded, with Toyota and Porsche securing the Manufacturers’ and Drivers’ Championships, respectively. The 2025 season is set to begin with the Prologue in February, followed by the 1000km race in Qatar. As the series evolves, fans can expect more exciting racing and the emergence of new stars.
Hypercar top 6:
1. Arthur Leclerc – Ferrari 499P 1:50.460
2. Valentino Rossi – BMW M Hybrid V8 +0.117s
3. Victor Martins – Alpine A424 +0.257s
4. Max Hesse – BMW M Hybrid V8 +0.359s
5. Thomas Neubauer – Ferrari 499P +0.570s
6. Philip Hanson – Ferrari 499P +0.964s
LMGT3 top 6:
1. Ben Barnicoat – Lexus RC F LMGT3 2:01.772
2. Mahaveer Raghunathan – Ferrari 296 LMGT3 +0.851s
3. Aurélien Panis – Lexus RC F LMGT3 +0.870s
4. Matteo De Palo – Ferrari 296 LMGT3 +1.194s
5. Tom Gamble – McLaren 720S LMGT3 Evo +1.399s
6. Mattia Drudi – Aston Martin Vantage AMR LMGT3 Evo +1.400s