Nine-time world moto champion Valentino Rossi (age 44) is on the cusp of a new career milestone, taking on the FIA World Endurance Championship in Team WRT's BMW M4 GT3 sporting his iconic number 46.

Rossi first hit the track at the 24 Hours circuit for Road to Le Mans this year, winning the support race (LMP3s and LMGT3s) at the wheel of Team WRT's BMW M4 GT3. The Belgian outfit co-founded by Vincent Vosse will participate in the Hypercar category in 2024 with two BMW M Hybrid V8s and in LMGT3 with a second M4 GT3.

Valentino Rossi (#46 BMW M4 GT3): I am very excited to compete in the FIA WEC. It is the next step for me to participate in a world championship, not only in Europe, but to race globally again. I am already familiar with the car after this season, but the format with three drivers from three different performance categories will be new for me. Overall, I believe we will be very well-positioned.

Rossi drove the #46 ORECA 07-Gibson at the annual FIA WEC Rookie Test held on 5 November at the Bahrain circuit.

Recall that 1987 500 cmᶟ world champion Wayne Gardner took the start in the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1998 at the wheel of a Riley & Scott Mk III fielded by the Solution F team. He shared the car with Philippe Gache and Belgian moto racer Didier de Radiguès (350 cmᶟ vice world champion in 1982).