In a month’s time, MotoGP legend Valentino Rossi will take one other step in his glittering motorsports profession when he will get his first run in BMW’s LMDh prototype within the World Endurance Championship rookie take a look at in Bahrain.
It appears inconceivable that the seven-time MotoGP world champion, who has since tried his hand at rallying and presently competes within the World Endurance Championship, is eligible for a rookie take a look at, however he’ll drive the BMW M Hybrid V8 on the Bahrain Worldwide Circuit on 3 November, a day after the conclusion of the 2024 WEC season within the Gulf nation.
It may have been an altogether totally different ascent to the premier class had he fulfilled his boyhood dream of racing in Method 1. In an unique interview with Motorsport.com, Rossi, 45, speaks about his post-MotoGP racing profession – and the way he would have beloved to have raced in F1 for Ferrari – and his plans for the long run.
“My dream was to race in vehicles and F1,” he says, “additionally as a result of my dad was a bike racer, however his profession was stuffed with accidents, so he was afraid for me. After bikes he switched to vehicles, as I’m doing now, so he pushed me to start out with karting as a result of he thought it was rather less harmful in vehicles.”
Rossi first examined a Ferrari F1 automotive at Fiorano in April 2004 and took to the monitor carrying one in every of Michael Schumacher’s spare helmets relatively than one in every of his personal. He earned the respect of Schumacher, who backed the Italian to swap codes and go from MotoGP to F1.
Rossi had the same mid-season shakedown at Fiorano in 2005 earlier than a significant pre-2006 season take a look at session at Valencia, driving a V10-engined automotive, albeit detuned. This was his crack on the massive time. With Schumacher ageing, Rossi was a severe consideration for Ferrari however he was additionally in a contract yr yr himself and determined to re-sign with Yamaha to stay in MotoGP.
Valentino Rossi checks for Ferrari
Photograph by: Mark Capilitan
He added: “I attempted to race in MotoGP as a lot as potential as a result of I did not need to stop after I was on the high, I most well-liked to proceed till I could not take it anymore. For me, the eagerness for bikes has all the time been nice and I did not need to have any regrets about retiring prematurely after I may nonetheless give one thing. I used to be in no hurry, and as soon as my MotoGP profession was over I used to be able to get within the automotive.
“In my head I all the time had the thought of racing in a automotive as soon as the journey in bikes was over. After testing with Ferrari there was the potential of quitting earlier and transferring to F1, however I made a decision to remain in bikes and actually, it was the correct alternative as a result of I knew I used to be nonetheless sturdy, whereas in vehicles it was a leap of religion.
“Nonetheless, in the course of the yr I all the time tried to search out a while to discover ways to race within the automotive as effectively. For a few years I took half within the Monza Rally Present, because it was held on the finish of the MotoGP season. At first my concept was actually to race in rallies, so I additionally did two WRC rallies, with Subaru in New Zealand 2006 and with Ford at RAC 2009.
“However I realised that rallies are one thing else and I like racing on the monitor higher. I am higher at it after which it is extra like bikes. So I attempted to determine what I may do, tried various things and GT3 appeared one of the best.
“I raced with Kessel Racing’s Ferrari within the Blancpain at Monza and Nurburgring 2012, however after that, I did not have any extra time. After I may, I raced in different occasions, such because the Gulf 12H, all the time to maintain myself lively.”
One wonders what would have occurred had he determined to give attention to F1 relatively than MotoGP following that pre-season take a look at in 2006, however what is clear is that there aren’t any regrets or lamenting missed alternatives. As an alternative, he’s now targeted on reaching the highest of the WEC and the rookie take a look at in Bahrain will see him take the following step. But relatively like his F1 aspirations previously, he’s conserving his expectations firmly in examine.
#46 Workforce WRT BMW M4 LMGT3: Ahmad Al Harthy, Valentino Rossi, Maxime Martin
Photograph by: JEP / Motorsport Photos
“I’d like to race in Hypercar,” he says, “as a result of it’s the MotoGP of prototypes, however it isn’t a purpose I’ve set. I’d be wonderful with turning into a powerful driver in GT3, then after all, if a risk emerges, I do not again down.”
Rossi is now a father and his associate Francesca Sofia Novello is anticipating their second youngster within the new yr. He has additionally spoken about limiting his racing commitments however that doesn’t imply he sees himself giving up on racing solely.
“I want to race at the very least one other 10 years with vehicles,” he says. “That’s the purpose, then it’s true that in life there are by no means certainties, however I want to race for a very long time.
“With these vehicles, the driving may be very technical, however bodily, even if you’re not youthful, it isn’t a drawback. That is why I feel I can go on for a number of years, primarily as a result of I take pleasure in it and have a whole lot of enjoyable, which is vital. That is what we’re right here for!”
