Bathurst, DTM, GTWC champions fill BMWs 12-Hour roster

AMIDST the incredible news that Valentino Rossi will tackle the LIQUI MOLY Bathurst 12 Hour in 2023, came confirmation of his teammates within the broader BMW M Team WRT squad. 

While Rossi will be the headliner, the remaining five drivers are all incredibly well qualified to help deliver BMW their first 12-Hour win in the GT3 era.

It's a formidable squad made up of some of the best GT and Sports Car drivers currently operating, all drawn from BMWs 20-strong factory driver roster.

Rossi's co-drivers will be experienced GT and Endurance specialists, Belgian Maxime Martin and Brazilian Augusto Farfus.

Both have previous Bathurst experience to their credit: Martin in 2020 and Farfus on three occasions, in 2018, 19 and 2020 – including finishing fifth in the 2019 race with Chaz Mostert and Martyn Tomczyk as as a co-drivers.

36-year-old Belgian Martin is a veteran of BMW's Sports Car campaigns and contested four seasons of DTM competition with the marque, winning two races.

He's also spent plenty of time with Aston Martin, including a class win at the Le Mans 24 Hours in 2020.

Farfus Jr., 39, has been predominantly BMW-based since the mid 2000s when he was a factory driver in the FIA World Touring Car Championship, twice finishing third in the standings.

He also spent a season as a test driver for BMW Team Sauber in Formula 1 and later shifted to BMWs DTM program, where he is a four-time race winner and was runner-up in the 2013 championship.

He has since turned his attention to BMWs Sports Car programs including the last decade in IMSA competition in the 'States - where he's a two-time winner of the Rolex 24 at Daytona.

Farfus has three Bathurst 12 Hour starts to his credit and was a key factor in delivering BMW their best ever result in the GT3 era in 2019.

The sister Number 32 BMW also offers significant talent with all three drivers offering title-winning experience.

2018 12-Hour winner Dries Vanthoor brings the Bathurst experience to the squad, having contested the race on two occasions.

He was an integral part of WRT's 2018 victory and was in the car when the race was stopped with 15 minutes remaining that year.

Vanthoor will be joined by Sheldon van der Linde, who will make his Bathurst debut fresh from claiming the 2022 DTM Championship for BMW team Schubert Motorsport.

The 23-year-old South African is the younger bother of B12hr regular Kelvin.

While the latter's status as an Audi factory driver is yet to be confirmed for 2023, should he be locked in there remains a very good chance that both brothers could race next February.

Completing the WRT squad is 21-year-old Belgian rising star, Charles Weerts.

Weerts paired with Vanthoor to claim the Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe Sprint Cup Championship last year, and also claimed the crown in 2020 and 21, driving for Audi.

The Liqui-Moly Bathurst 12 Hour is supported by the NSW Government via its tourism and major events agency, Destination NSW

Tickets can be purchased via Ticketek, with access via the Liqui-Moly Bathurst 12 Hour website – www.bathurst12hour.com.au