Rossi will drive an Oreca 07 operated by WRT on November 5, a day after the conclusion of the 2023 WEC season with the 8 Hours of Bahrain, with the intention of competing within the championship sooner or later.
The LMP2 check will function a precursor to the Italian’s deliberate run within the BMW M Hybrid V8 earlier than the top of the yr as a part of his manufacturing facility function with the German producer.
“I’m very joyful to be attempting the LMP2 for the primary time!,” stated Rossi, who will flip 45 in February subsequent yr. “It’s an incredible alternative from Crew WRT, as a result of we have now plans for me to check the BMW Hypercar sooner or later.
“So, earlier than testing that, I believe it’s good expertise to attempt the LMP2 because it’s comparable when it comes to downforce and I’m curious to grasp my potential.
“I’m additionally wanting ahead to being in Bahrain to observe the ultimate race of the season, and as I’m hoping to race within the WEC sooner or later, it is going to be good to grasp the environment and the construction of the occasion.”
Photograph by: JEP / Motorsport Images
#31 Crew WRT Oreca 07 – Gibson: Sean Gelael, Ferdinand Habsburg-Lothringen, Robin Frijns
Since retiring from MotoGP on the finish of the 2021 season, Rossi has made a full-time change to automobile racing with the last word objective of competing on the Le Mans 24 Hours.
After a one-year stint in Audi GT3 equipment final yr, he joined the BMW ranks this yr as a manufacturing facility driver to primarily compete in GT World Problem Europe.
In June, he claimed victory within the Highway to Le Mans assist race, an outing that was extensively seen as preparation for a deliberate assault within the 24-hour traditional at La Sarthe in 2024.
Sunday’s check session will additional put together him for a potential WEC programme, which may start as early as 2024.
WRT, the group which Rossi has been competing in GTs, will function BMW’s manufacturing facility squad for its deliberate return to WEC subsequent yr within the Hypercar division.
As well as, WRT can also be understood to be planning a two-car entry within the new LMGT3 class in 2024 with the BMW M4 GT3.
Charles Weerts, who moved to BMW this yr after a protracted stint at Audi, can even get to pattern WRT’s Oreca 07 LMP2 automobile within the post-season Bahrain check on Sunday.
“I can not wait to have my first run within the LMP2,” he stated. “I’ve at all times stored a watch on WRT’s WEC programmes and I’m excited to check the automobile they’ve had a lot success in.
“It is going to additionally give me an incredible perception into prototypes, particularly with WRT’s future with the BMW Hypercar. An enormous thanks to everybody at Crew WRT for giving me this chance.”
