P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Valentino Rossi kicked off his 2026 racing season with a podium at the Bathurst 12 Hours
MotoGP legend Valentino Rossi assisted the No.46 WRT BMW crew in securing another podium at the 2026 Bathurst 12 Hours race, which was overshadowed by multiple major crashes. Rossi, a nine-time grand prix motorcycle world champion, recently signed a new three-year deal with BMW to continue as a factory driver starting this year. He competes with Belgian team WRT and made his season debut at Bathurst, finishing third after starting seventh in the No.46 BMW M4 GT3 Evo. This marked Rossi’s second podium at Bathurst, with the No.888 Team GMR Mercedes emerging as the race winners. The 2026 Bathurst 12 Hours experienced dramatic incidents, including a kangaroo strike involving the HRT Ford Mustang of Chris Mies in the opening hour. Despite the challenges faced, Rossi and his team showcased their resilience and determination throughout the event.
