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) From 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," said 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 Published20 AprilVerstappen 'just a normal person'Image source, BMW MotorsportImage 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 said. "The closer it came and then it was announced, 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 said 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." Image source, BMW MotorsportImage 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 said 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." Image source, Getty ImagesImage 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 Sar

What connects Verstappen, Rossi and Le Mans 24 Hours?

Key takeaways

More in sports