- Valentino Rossi has postponed his plans to obtain the permit needed to race in the Nürburgring 24 Hours.
- The Italian was expected to compete in the upcoming NLS double-header but will miss both that round and the season finale.
- A clash with his VR46 commitments at the San Marino GP in Misano is part of a crowded schedule that forced the decision.
Valentino Rossi has postponed his plans to compete in the Nürburgring 24 Hours and will not take part in the remaining rounds of the Nürburgring Langstrecken-Serie (NLS) in 2026 to pursue the permit required to race a GT3 car on the Nordschleife.
Rossi had been expected to compete in this weekend’s NLS double-header, the penultimate round of the season, with a BMW M2 Racing as part of the process to obtain the DMSB Permit Nordschleife (DPN) A. However, the nine-time motorcycle world champion will now miss the event and the NLS finale in October.
Rossi postpones Nürburgring permit process
The original plan was for Rossi to follow a path similar to the one taken by Max Verstappen. The Red Bull Formula 1 driver completed the necessary NLS running in 2025 before racing a Ferrari 296 GT3 at the Nürburgring 24 Hours in 2026, sharing the car with Chris Lulham and taking victory.
Rossi had been looking to secure his own permit during the 2026 season, with the ultimate goal of making his Nürburgring 24 Hours debut in 2027. Motorsport.com reported in July that Rossi and his management were looking for an opportunity in one of the remaining NLS rounds.
That opportunity will no longer happen this year.
BMW M Motorsport confirmed the change in plans in a statement: “Valentino Rossi will not be completing a permit for the Nurburgring-Nordschleife this year. While discussions did take place, Valentino’s calendar ultimately did not allow for the permit process to be carried out.”
Misano clash complicates Rossi’s schedule
The next NLS double-header takes place on September 12-13, the same weekend as the San Marino GP at Misano.
Rossi, as owner of the VR46 MotoGP team, is expected to be present at his home event, where Fabio Di Giannantonio and Franco Morbidelli represent his squad in the premier class.
WRT team principal Vincent Vosse confirmed that Rossi’s next race will instead be the GT World Challenge Europe round at Zandvoort, with the scheduling conflict behind the decision.
Nürburgring remains on Rossi’s plans
The decision does not mean Rossi has abandoned his ambition to race at the Nürburgring. The Italian had already made clear that the Nordschleife remains one of his goals as he continues his transition from MotoGP to car racing.
“Nürburgring has always been on Vale’s agenda because it is a race he loves. But that doesn’t mean it will happen immediately. He will do it when there is a good opportunity in the calendar,” Vosse explained.
The WRT boss also emphasized that the logistics are complicated because Rossi needs to complete the necessary races before obtaining the permit.
“We are currently discussing with Vale what his program will be next year, but that is still a work in progress. One thing I can promise: you will see Vale as much next season as you did this year,” Vosse added.
Rossi’s potential Nürburgring debut in 2027 therefore remains possible, but not confirmed. The Italian can still complete the permit process in the future if his schedule allows it.
Rossi continues GT3 programme with WRT
The Nürburgring plans come as Rossi continues his second full season as a BMW factory driver in the GT World Challenge Europe. The Italian left the WEC programme for 2026 and made the European GT3 championship his main racing commitment this season.
Rossi confirmed the GT World Challenge Europe as his main programme for 2026 after renewing his BMW deal earlier this year, maintaining his partnership with WRT.
Rossi has also continued to combine his car-racing career with his role at VR46 in MotoGP, making his calendar increasingly demanding as the 2026 season reaches its decisive stages.
The next opportunity for Rossi to race comes at Zandvoort in the GT World Challenge Europe. The Nürburgring, meanwhile, will have to wait.
FAQ
Will Valentino Rossi race in the Nürburgring 24 Hours in 2027?
Rossi remains interested in competing in the Nürburgring 24 Hours, but a 2027 start has not been confirmed. He still needs to complete the required permit process before he can compete on the Nordschleife in a GT3 car.
Why did Valentino Rossi postpone his Nürburgring plans?
The main reason is a crowded schedule. The upcoming NLS double-header clashes with the San Marino GP at Misano, where Rossi has commitments as owner of the VR46 MotoGP team. His overall calendar also made it impossible to complete the permit process this year.
What is Valentino Rossi racing in 2026?
Rossi is competing for BMW and Team WRT in the GT World Challenge Europe in 2026 after leaving the WEC programme. His next race is the GT World Challenge Europe round at Zandvoort.
