MotoGP legend Valentino Rossi helped the No. 46 WRT BMW crew to a different podium end on the 2026 Bathurst 12 Hour race, which was marred by a number of large crashes.
The nine-time Grand Prix bike world champion introduced in January that he had signed a brand new three-year contract with BMW to stay as a manufacturing unit driver.
He has remained with Belgian group WRT since switching to automobile racing full-time in 2022, beginning the season on the Bathurst 12 Hour.
The No. 46 BMW M4 GT3 Evo, shared with Augusto Farfus and Rafael Marciero, began from seventh place and took the lead within the early phases of what was certain to be a dramatic race.
In the course of the race, automobile No. 46 ran in third place, finally crossing the end line 6 hours later.
This was Rossi and the No. 46 crew’s second podium at Bathurst, following their second place final yr.
The race was gained by No. 888 Group GMR Mercedes. Ranging from the again of the pack, the protection automobile was introduced out on the proper time, and he jumped into the lead over the center distance.
Rossi left the FIA World Endurance Championship after simply two years, so his important focus this season shall be GT World Problem Europe.
2026 Bathurst 12 Hour race marred by large crash and kangaroo strike
The 2026 Bathurst 12 Hour Race began in dramatic style within the opening hours with Chris Meath’s HRT Ford Mustang colliding with a kangaroo.
The analysis crew later estimated that the kangaroo weighed round 100kg, however happily Mies was unhurt.
Nonetheless, his race ended as a result of a strike, however the German driver later instructed Australian media: pace cafe: “It was very unlucky and it was a fairly critical accident, however to be sincere, I’m joyful to have such a secure race automobile.
“When you might think about, the entire kangaroo would have been inside (the automobile). Or somewhat, half of it might have been inside. So I am glad I am standing right here proper now.”
“The issue was that the windshield was utterly damaged and I could not see something anymore. Clearly I used to be lined in blood and no matter was contained in the kangaroo.
“My eyes had been filled with blood and kangaroo guts, so I needed to clear them first as a result of I did not know the place I used to be.”
Kangaroo particles broken Rossi’s teammate’s No. 32 WRT automobile, compounding early scratches with different automobiles and in the end requiring a nostril alternative.
WRT stated on its media WhatsApp broadcast channel that items of kangaroo had been discovered within the broken nostril space.
A lot of incidents occurred through the the rest of the race, however essentially the most critical occurred with roughly three and a half hours remaining.
A big-scale collision occurred within the Forest Elbow part of the course when the No. 77 Mercedes, which was within the lead, misplaced visibility and collided with a stopped Porsche.
All concerned bought out of the automobile on their very own, however the driver of the Mercedes, Ralph Aaron, was later taken to hospital for analysis.
The race was crimson flagged for a major time frame to cope with the aftermath of the incident.
