Marciello will drive a WRT-entered BMW M4 GT3 within the Australian endurance basic on February 18, sharing the automobile with MotoGP legend Valentino Rossi and Le Mans 24 Hours class winner Maxime Martin.
He takes the place of Augusto Farfus within the #46 BMW, with the Brazilian specializing in different programmes in 2024 together with an endurance marketing campaign within the IMSA SportsCar Championship with the BMW M Hybrid V8.
The #32 BMW M4 will once more be crewed by 2022 DTM champion Sheldon van der Linde, Dries Vanthoor and Charles Weerts after the trio completed fourth of their first mixed try on Mount Panorama final yr.
With this announcement, BMW has confirmed that it’s going to once more be current at Mount Panorama with an all-factory line-up, with WRT as soon as once more nominated to area two works-backed vehicles within the opening spherical of the Intercontinental GT Problem.
BMW has additionally taken the chance to provide Marciello his first race outing within the M4 GT3. When the Italian was formally added to its manufacturing unit roster on the finish of November, BMW stopped in need of revealing his actual programme for 2024.
Marciello is predicted to spend a lot of the yr driving the M Hybrid V8 within the World Endurance Championship, whereas being lined up for additional outings in GT3 races.
Regardless of his illustrious file in GT racing with Mercedes which included outright success in occasions reminiscent of Spa 24 Hours and the Macau GP, Marciello is but to received the Mount Panorama race, though he did steer GruppeM to pole place in 2019.
“Bathurst is a really particular place for me – the proper first race with BMW M Motorsport. I really like the circuit and have come very near profitable on a number of events,” stated the 29-year-old. “Sadly, it has by no means fairly labored out thus far.
“Nonetheless, I consider I’ve probability to alter all that this yr with BMW M Crew WRT. WRT is among the greatest groups on this planet, and my team-mates Maxime and Valentino are extraordinarily fast.
“Sharing the automobile with Vale may be very particular for me. I watched him in MotoGP after I was a child.”
Picture by: BMW Motorsport
#46 Crew WRT, BMW M4 GT3: Valentino Rossi, Augusto Farfus, Maxime Martin
WRT and BMW completed fourth and sixth once they joined forces for the primary time at Bathurst in 2023, falling in need of their goal of ending on the rostrum.
However BMW motorsport boss Andreas Roos is assured concerning the Bavarian producer’s probabilities of a powerful consequence following the addition of Marciello to its line-up.
“The Bathurst 12 Hour is a spectacular occasion to start out the yr with, and we’re delighted to area one other robust line-up in Australia in 2024,” stated Roos.
“Along with BMW M Crew WRT, we loved many improbable successes in our first season. Sadly, we have been denied a Bathurst podium. We clearly need to make amends for that this time.
“With our driver line-up, I consider we’re in a wonderful place to take pleasure in a powerful race. I’m significantly wanting ahead to seeing Raffaele Marciello in a BMW M4 GT3 for the primary time.”
