Rossi, van der Linde, Farfus and more return in WRT squad
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Team WRT and BMW M Motorsport will return to the Mount Panorama Circuit together in 2026.
The Bathurst 12 Hour (AUS), the season opener of the Intercontinental GT Challenge (IGTC), will be all about defending the title after last year's 1-2 finish.
Six BMW M works drivers will line up in the Belgian team's two BMW M4 GT3 EVOs, including last year's winners Augusto Farfus (BRA) and Kelvin van der Linde (RSA) as well as newcomer Jordan Pepper (RSA). Valentino Rossi (ITA) will also be making another appearance at the endurance classic in Australia.
The Chinese team KRC is fielding another BMW M4 GT3 EVO. BMW M works driver Max Hesse (GER) celebrates his Bathurst debut in the cockpit.
In 2025, the Bathurst 12 Hour was the perfect start to a great IGTC season. BMW M Motorsport celebrated a 1-2 finish in Australia and then won three of the other four IGTC events. The Manufacturers' title and the drivers' title for Kelvin van der Linde were the well-deserved reward.
The next attempt follows in 2026. BMW M Motorsport will line up at Bathurst with two BMW M4 GT3 EVO cars from Team WRT in the top category and one car from Team KRC in the Bronze class.
Last year's winner and IGTC Drivers' Champion Kelvin van der Linde will line up in the #32 Team WRT car with fellow South African Jordan Pepper and 2024 IGTC Drivers' Champion Charles Weerts (BEL). This will be Pepper's first works outing for BMW M Motorsport.
Valentino Rossi returns to Bathurst in the number 46. He will be joined in the race by last year's winner Augusto Farfus and Raffaele Marciello (SUI). In the Bronze class, the Chinese team KRC will start with BMW M works driver Max Hesse, Maxime Oosten (NED) and Ruan Cunfan (CHN).
Kelvin van der Linde (#32 BMW M4 GT3 EVO, Team WRT): "We have a dream line-up with Jordan and Charles in a dream team like WRT. I celebrated many great successes with Charles last season, and I've known Jordan very well since I was a teenager. Defending the title will be a big challenge, but I will do everything I can to finish on top once again in one of the most special races of the year and thus enable Jordan to do what I did a year ago: win Bathurst on my debut with BMW M Motorsport. Winning 2025 with my brother Sheldon and Augusto was one of the proudest moments of my career."
Jordan Pepper (#32 BMW M4 GT3 EVO, Team WRT): "I'm really excited and proud to be coming to Bathurst with BMW M Motorsport and Team WRT. What a place for my first works race! My memories of the race are very special. I won there in 2020 and I really enjoy the track, the place and the atmosphere. Of course, we also have pressure, because we are coming there as defending champions, but I have two great teammates in Kelvin and Charles. We get on
very well on a professional and personal level. Driving with Kelvin is something very special for me. We've known each other for so long and complement each other very well."
Augusto Farfus (#46 BMW M4 GT3 EVO, Team WRT): "Bathurst is one of the coolest and most challenging races of the year. I'm really looking forward to returning there after my victory last year. Back then, I was still racing against Valentino and Raffaele in the sister car. Now I will do everything I can to stand on the top step of the podium with them again."
Valentino Rossi (#46 BMW M4 GT3 EVO, Team WRT): "I'm really looking forward to returning to Bathurst. It's one of the best races of the season. The track is fantastic. When I started racing, Bathurst was at the top of my wish list. Now I've been here three times and enjoy it every time. Last year the race went great and we finished second. The podium is the goal again this time. With Raffaele and Augusto, I have two stellar teammates from whom I can learn a lot and with whom I will certainly have a lot of fun."
Max Hesse (#89 BMW M4 GT3 EVO, Team KRC): "I'm really looking forward to my debut at Bathurst. I've only heard good things about the track and the event so far and can hardly wait to do my first laps there. Before that, I'll certainly be spending a lot of time in the simulator to familiarise myself with the 'mini Nordschleife' as much as possible. Starting the 2026 season with a second highlight race after Daytona is absolutely fantastic. I'm looking forward to the KRC team, where I'll also see some familiar faces, and I think we can play a good role in our class.
