New partner for Valentino Rossi: BMW reshuffles drivers for Portimão

The upcoming FIA WEC race in Barcelona is taking place on the same weekend as the season finale of the GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup powered by AWS in Portimão, Portugal (16 & 17 October). The SRO is endeavouring to minimise the overlap – which arose due to the last-minute relocation of the race to Barcelona – as much as possible.

The BMW M works drivers Marciello, Harper and Farfus will focus entirely on their commitments in the FIA WEC and will be replaced in Portimão by other BMW works drivers who are not involved in the Bavarian marque’s programme in the World Endurance Championship.

Austrian Philipp Eng and DTM title contender Marco Wittmann will line up in the #98 BMW M4 GT3 EVO from ROWE Racing alongside Briton Jake Dennis, replacing Marciello and Farfus.

In the #46 BMW M4 GT3 EVO run by Team WRT, American Neil Verhagen will start in place of Harper alongside Max Hesse and nine-time Motorcycle World Champion Valentino Rossi.