Valentino Rossi and BMW part ways

Nine-time Grand Prix motorcycle world champion Valentino Rossi will not race for BMW in the World Endurance Championship (WEC) next season, which closes the chapter on a three-year deal.

Rossi, also known as ‘The Doctor’, joined BMW at the end of his stellar two-wheel career in 2021, which includes 89 wins in MotoGP and seven premier class world titles.

Rossi teamed up with the German manufacturer as part of the GT World Challenge series in 2023, after initially racing with Audi in 2022. 

In 2024 Rossi raced the No.46 WRT GT car as he stepped up to the FIA WEC series, where he also contested the last two 24 Hours of Le Mans in the LMGT3 class. However, he retired from both races. 

The second of those was caused by an electrical issue which meant the team had to retire from the race while in contention for the win.

Despite podiums at Imola, Fuji, and COTA, and strong showings in terms of performance at Le Mans, BMW has chosen not to keep Rossi, who could be set for a return to the GT World Challenge series.

The move does come as a surprise given his impressive performance at times, and the star appeal he brings. However, Rossi’s future with BMW had been in question for some time, with his three-year factory BMW deal set to end later this month.

There have also been rumours linking the MotoGP legend to the Hypercar class, the Italian having tested BMW’s LMDh car in Bahrain at the end of the 2024 WEC season, although no deal has been struck between Rossi and a team yet. 

Rossi’s involvement in four-wheel racing took a slight step back in 2025, with the Italian also focusing heavily on his VR46 MotoGP team. The Rossi-owned Ducati outfit will keep the same pairing of Fabio Di Giannantonio and Franco Morbidelli next season.

Photo credit - Gold and Goose

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