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BMW has officially confirmed that Valentino Rossi, Dan Harper, and Max Hesse will participate in the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) Rookie Test in Bahrain. The test, set for November 3, 2024, will take place the day after the WEC season finale at the Bahrain International Circuit. All three drivers will pilot the BMW M Hybrid V8, marking Rossi’s much-anticipated debut in a Hypercar.
This opportunity is a significant step for Rossi, the nine-time MotoGP champion who has been making a name for himself in four-wheel racing since his switch to endurance competitions. Known as “The Doctor,” Rossi previously impressed during the 2023 WEC Rookie Test, driving a Team WRT Oreca 07 LMP2 car. His performance there, where he recorded competitive lap times close to other experienced drivers, paved the way for this new opportunity to test a Hypercar.
“I am thrilled that I can finally test the Hypercar,” Rossi stated. “It’s been a long time coming, and I’ve been preparing for this in the simulator. These cars are truly the MotoGP equivalent in prototype racing—powerful and highly technical. I can’t wait to get the feel of the BMW M Hybrid V8 in Bahrain,” he added.
Dan Harper and Max Hesse, members of BMW’s Junior Team, will also take part in the test. The two young drivers have already gained extensive experience in endurance racing and GT competitions, having raced together in prestigious series like the Intercontinental GT Challenge and the GT World Challenge Europe. This season, they claimed a podium at the Nürburgring 24 Hours and a victory at the Paul Ricard 3-Hour race.
