What connects Verstappen, Rossi and Le Mans 24 Hours?

June 10, 2026 No Comments

What connects Verstappen, Rossi and Le Mans 24 Hours?Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Harper (centre) has raced against Verstappen (left) and is now a team-mate to childhood idol Rossi (right)ByAndy GrayBBC Sport NI JournalistPublished30 minutes agoFrom the moment he first drove a quad bike at five years of age, Dan Harper could never have imagined where he would end up in motorsport.It is a journey that has taken him to some of the most famous race tracks in the world as a BMW factory driver, where motorsport is his job and his life.In 2026 alone he has raced, and beaten, Max Verstappen, been team-mates to his racing idol Valentino Rossi, won one of the biggest endurance races in the world and is about to make his debut at another – the iconic Le Mans 24 Hours.”It’s what I wanted to do from a kid, so to make it happen and to see all the hard work paying off, it’s all a dream,” stated the 25-year-old.”I didn’t really have much interest in school and my dad obviously seen a bit of talent there.”It’s very special now looking back at all those memories, seeing now where I am and hopefully what will come in the future.”Harper wins on World Endurance Championship debut

20 April

Verstappen ‘just a normal person’

Dan Harper on the podium with Max Verstappen at the Nurburgring — Image caption,

Dan Harper shared a podium with Max Verstappen at the Nurburgring, and inherited the win when the Formula 1 driver was disqualified for a technical infringement

While GT racing is Harper’s profession, the endurance racing world got more attention than usual when Max Verstappen, the four-time Formula 1 world champion, made waves in the class earlier this year.

Verstappen’s venture into endurance racing drew a lot of interest at the Nurburgring, one of the most fearsome circuits in motorsport.

For Harper, who comes from Northern Ireland, he didn’t believe the rumours of Verstappen’s foray into GT Racing at first.

“I thought it wasn’t going to happen,” Harper stated.

“The closer it came and then it was unveiled, I knew it was going to be really special.”

Before the Nurburgring 24 Hours, Verstappen had to compete in NLS races, shorter in length, to be granted a permit to drive in the main event.

In NLS2, Verstappen and his team-mates Dani Jundicella and Jules Gounon dominated the race. On that occassion, Harper and Jordan Pepper were second and they got to share a podium together.

But Verstappen’s car was later disqualified for a technical infringement and Harper ans Pepper were handed the win.

Then, a mechanical issue forced Verstappen’s car out of winning contention at the Nurburgring 24 Hours, while Harper, and finished just off the poidum in fourth place.

So, despite the pace and relentless drive, Harper has yet to officialy be beaten on track by the four-time world champion.

“I have to say it was one of the coolest podiums I’ve been on,” Harper stated on his NLS2 experience.

“Even just getting a chance to speak to him after the race in the Parc Ferme, we were talking about how he’s finding GT racing and being involved in something completely different than what he’s normally doing every day.

“It’s a bit like working with Valentino, they’re so famous but they’re just normal people and you could tell he was just so happy to be there and so motivated to do well, and that’s what I thought was really cool.”

From hero to team-mate

Dan Harper, Valentino Rossi and Max Hesse — Image caption,

Harper is team-mates with Valentino Rossi and Max Hesse, who he came through BMW’s Junior programme with

When he was growing up Harper was obsessed with watching motorsport. After watching MotoGP, his idol quickly became seven-time world champion Valentino Rossi – one of the most famous riders in motorcycle racing history.

After Rossi retired from MotoGP in 2018, he turned his focus to cars and made his first steps in GT racing.

Now, in the GT World Challenge, Harper is now a team-mate to the Italian in a BMW than runs the famous Rossi #46.

“For my mum, my dad, my granddad, we all watched Valentino on the TV.

“Our whole family was somewhat interested in him – especially me.

“My first race number was 46 and my dog was called Rossi, so to now race with him is very surreal.”

Harper stated he is “still so motivated to do well” and the relationship with the Italian works both ways.

“The GT World Challenge is tough and you need to be at your best.

“It’s a cool challenge for me and also Max- [Hesse, the third driver in the team] to coach him up in a way and in qualifying at Monza, he was as quick as us.

“It’s just a special opportunity to be close to him, work together and maybe learn a few things from him too.”

‘The festival of motorsport’

Dan Harper in a practice session at the Le Mans 24 Hours — Image caption,

Harper (driving the BMW, left) got his first taste of Le Mans in the opening practice session on Sunday

Now, for the first time, Harper heads to Le Mans – the king of endurance racing.

Every year the quaint French town comes alive with a festival of motorsport, which accumulates in a 24 Hour race along a track that is blended with roads around Le mans and a purpose built race track.

Harper got his first action around the Circuit de la Sarthe in Sunday’s opening practice, and the main event takes place from 13-14 June.

He has had a stellar year to date. He won the Daytona 24 Hours – the biggest endurance race in America- and won on his debut in the World Endurance Championship at Imola.

But if he could win a trophy at Le Mans it might top the lot. In his words, “this is the big one that has been missing”.

“It’s the biggest motorsport event in the world. When you think of motorsport, you think of Formula One or Le Mans 24-hour.

“To just have the opportunity to even drive on the streets in Le Mans, the opportunity to potentially win a 24-hour Le Mans not everyone gets that opportunity so you need to take it with both hands.”

Harper isn’t afraid to admit he’s had dreams about winning at Le Mans and standing on top of the iconic podium.

“To be honest, if we have a good race and perform to what our potential is then we have a really good shot.”

“I’ve had dreams about it and I’ve had dreams about many results going your way, but you never know what can happen. It could be the same in Le Mans. You go there, you do a full week or a full year really of preparation and when you get to the starting line you don’t even know if the car is going to start.

“It’s one of those things you just have to do your best, put all the work you can into that result. and then everything needs to fall into place.”

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