More to come on the story but Valentino Rossi has been confirmed by WRT and Audi Sport Customer Racing as a full-season driver in an Audi R8 LMS GT3 Evo II.
The multiple MotoGP World Champion will contest both the Sprint Cup and Endurance Cup this coming season in a car numbered #46, after testing an Audi late last year with the team.
The move comes after intense speculation about his proposed 2022 race programme as he transitions from two-wheel racing to four.
DSC sources suggest that a potential deal with Porsche failed to be formalised by the factory with Audi stepping in to seal one of the most eagerly awaited deals in any part of the sport this year!
Vincent Vosse: “I am sure that a lot of fans will be as pleased as we are that Vale is starting a new career on four wheels and that he is doing it in GT, with Team WRT and Audi. We all know what a great motorbike champion and sports figure Vale is, but most of all, he is a true racer and a very professional and competitive sportsman, eager to be as successful as possible in the new challenge he has decided to embrace. This is exactly why we really wanted to work with him. The test we made at Valencia was extremely positive for both parties, in terms of technical feedback and working approach, and we took things from there.
We warmly welcome Vale in the WRT family and I am sure that we are off to a very exciting experience for both.”
Valentino Rossi: “I am delighted to join Team WRT for a full Fanatec GTWCE powered by AWS programme. Everybody knows that I have always been a great car racing fan and that I have always been interested in racing on four wheels once my MotoGP career would come to an end. Now I am completely available to devote myself to a car racing programme at high level and with the right professional approach. Team WRT is the perfect fit I was looking for and I am anxious to start this new adventure in the GTWCE with them.”
Stéphane Ratel, SRO Motorsports Group founder & CEO: “I am delighted to welcome Valentino Rossi to the Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe Powered by AWS grid for 2022.
“Having followed his illustrious career in motorcycle racing for more than two decades, it is truly exciting to witness the start of this new chapter in GT machinery. To attract a competitor of Valentino’s stature is a tremendous vote of confidence for our championship and for GT racing in general. He will bring new energy to our paddock and I look forward to watching him
on-track this season.”
