P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Valentino Rossi GT3 race car blasts past estimates in recent auction
The BMW M4 GT3 car that MotoGP legend Valentino Rossi raced at the 24 Hours of Le Mans for the first time sold at auction in Munich well above its estimated price.
Valentino Rossi, a nine-time grand prix motorcycle world champion, transitioned to full-time car racing with WRT after retiring from MotoGP in 2021.
Partnering with WRT, Rossi advanced to the FIA World Endurance Championship after participating in the GT World Challenge Europe.
The car, a BMW M4 GT3 with chassis number 22-046 and Rossi’s trademark No.46 on the livery, achieved multiple victories and podium finishes during its racing tenure.
Despite an estimated auction value of €435,000 to €485,000, the car fetched a significant €646,250 (£561,480) in the auction.
Valentino Rossi continues his racing career with WRT in BMW machinery in the FIA WEC and competes in select endurance events on the GT calendar.
Most recently, Rossi won the eight-hour race at Indianapolis with teammates Kelvin van der Linde and Charles Weerts, marking his first win at the venue since 2008’s MotoGP race.
