ROSSI ANNOUNCES 2022 PLANS

Nine-time Motorcycle World Champion Valentino Rossi has confirmed a full-season entry in the Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe Series.

This year is Ross’s first season away from bikes after retiring from the MotoGP championship at the end of the 2021 season and as indicated has moved into four-wheel racing.

Rossi will compete in both the Endurance and Sprint Series for front-running outfit Team WRT which campaigns Audi R8s.

Following a successful test with Team WRT at Valencia in December, Rossi has finalised a deal to contest all 10-rounds of the Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe series with the Belgian outfit.

The Italian motorcycle legend will continue to race with the iconic #46.

“I am delighted to join Team WRT for a full Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe programme,” Rossi said.

“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 program at a 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 Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe with them.”

Joining Team WRT has aligned Rossi with the most successful team in the championship’s history.

“I am sure that a lot of fans will be as pleased as we are that Rossi is starting a new career on four wheels and that he is doing it in GT, with Team WRT and Audi,” expressed WRT Team Principal Vincent Vosse.

“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.”

The team amassed five from a possible six race wins last season. The Belgian outfit has been particularly dominant in the Sprint Cup and is always a contender for victory in the categories main event the 24 Hours of Spa.

The Sprint schedule includes visits to two Italian circuits, Misano from July 1-3, while the Endurance Cup visits Imola a month later.

The SRO Motorsports Group founder & CEO Stéphane Ratel who runs the series is delighted to see Rossi join the championship and is confident it will be a big boost for the championship.

“I am delighted to welcome Valentino Rossi to the Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe Powered by AWS grid for 2022,” he said.

“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.”

Rossi is not a complete newcomer to the series having made his debut in a pair of Endurance races at Monza and the Nürburgring during the 2012 season.

The official test days take place at Circuit Paul Ricard on March 7-8 with Round 1 at Imola at the start of April.

Read more about Rossi’s impressive career to date, with a special feature inside the latest issue of Auto Action.