Major blow for Valentino Rossi: BMW changes its plans

Valentino Rossi’s four-wheeled adventure hits a setback. The nine-time world champion will not take part in the World Endurance Championship in 2026. BMW has decided to completely restructure its lineup for the LMGT3 category. In this reshuffle, it has chosen to sacrifice the MotoGP Legend, who at the moment is enjoying some downtime in Madonna di Campiglio.

Team WRT has confirmed what had long been rumored. The champion from Tavullia will not be part of the squad in 2026. After retiring from MotoGP in 2022, Valentino Rossi decided to commit seriously to car racing, a passion he has nurtured since he was young, thanks in part to his father Graziano. He became a fully-fledged BMW factory driver. His WEC debut came in 2024 and, to be fair, he quickly showcased his innate talent.

However, management rules and the Belgian team opted for a change. The BMW M4 GT3, which until now sported the iconic fluorescent yellow livery, will disappear from the starting grid to make way for car number 69. It will be driven by Anthony McIntosh, Dan Harper, and Parker Thompson. Valentino Rossi’s contract expires in December, forcing him to rethink his plans for next season.

Not only did the Doctor bring significant visibility to the category, but he also collected strong results. His first podium at Imola in only his second WEC race, another podium in 2025 narrowly missing victory on the Italian circuit. He proved his worth at Fuji as well with a third place. Perhaps the biggest disappointment came at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. An electrical failure forced a retirement for the second consecutive year. But the former MotoGP rider continued to rack up successes, such as at the Indianapolis 8 Hours and a podium at the Bathurst 12 Hour.

For much of 2025, Valentino Rossi made no secret of wanting to step up a level. His goal was to try his luck with the Hypercars. However, BMW had other plans for its prototypes, and that door did not open. The Bavarian brand preferred to maintain stability with the other GT3 car, number 32, where Darren Leung will team up again with Augusto Farfus and Sean Gelael.

So, what will happen with the 46-year-old Italian? Although BMW has not officially revealed anything about Valentino Rossi, everything points to a return to the GT World Challenge Europe. Here, the rider from Pesaro has already taken three victories, and the travel commitments are slightly lighter than in a world championship. This way he will have more time to focus on his team competing in MotoGP, in a year that will be decisive for future choices...