Valentino Rossi signs new BMW contract, returns to GT World Challenge

Valentino Rossi has revealed that his main commitment for the 2026 season will be GT World Challenge Europe, once again as a factory BMW rider.

The confirmation came from Rossi himself on the sidelines of the VR46 presentation held on Wednesday in Rome, where Motorsport.com was also present.

The Italian attended the VR46 launch as the founder of the Ducati satellite team that will once again field Fabio Di Giannantonio and Franco Morbidelli in MotoGP, but the occasion also presented a good opportunity to take stock of his four-wheeled plans.

Having already announced his participation in February's Bathurst 12 Hour, the 46-year-old responded to questions about what awaits him at the wheel of the BMW's M4 GT3 EVO.

"I will be racing in the GTWC and I am very happy because it is a championship that I really like and in which I took part at the beginning of my career in cars,’ Rossi told Sky Sports, adding that he prefers the SRO-sanctioned series to the World Endurance Championship.

"I've raced in the world championship for the last two years, but I decided to change because the GTWC is in Europe and the races are closer, while with the WEC, most of the events are outside Europe, involving lots of flights and long journeys.

"With two little girls and a family, it's difficult to be away for so many days, so let's say it was a choice I had to make, but I'm really happy because the GTWC is great fun."

#46 Team WRT BMW M4 GT3 EVO: Valentino Rossi, Kevin Magnussen, René Rast

Photo by: Eric Le Galliot

When the WEC entry list was presented last month, Rossi was absent from WRT's LMGT3 line-up, which led to all sorts of rumours, including that he had been dropped by the Bavarian manufacturer.

This was obviously not the case, partly because his preference has always been to compete in events with only GT3 cars, and with a family to take care of, making so many intercontinental trips was putting him back in the situation that had led to him retiring from MotoGP

Racing in GTWCE with Team WRT will allow him to focus his energy on one series, but the other news is the renewal of his contract with BMW, in response to all those who claimed he had been let go given the expiry of his previous agreement at the end of 2025.

"The choice was mine, in agreement with BMW, with whom I signed a three-year renewal," he revealed. "I had to figure out what to do with them too, but I'm very happy because I feel comfortable in this championship."

WRT is yet to reveal its full line-ups for the 2026 GT World Challenge season, meaning it's unclear who will join 'Vale' in Sprint and Endurance Cups.

Rossi last raced in both legs of GTWCE in 2023, before combining his Endurance Cup commitments with a maiden season in the WEC's LMGT3 class the following year. He stepped back from GTWCE entirely in 2025, outside of some wildcard entries, to focus on the world championship.

The Italian has three Sprint race wins under his belt, while his best result in the Endurance Cup is a fourth-place finish at Paul Ricard.