Nordschleife and GT World Challenge? Valentino Rossi plans for the 2027 season

Nine-time motorcycle world champion Valentino Rossi has established himself as a respected driver in the GT3 scene. His first pole position in the GT World Challenge Europe at the Sprint Cup in Misano underlines this. Although he missed out on his fourth victory in four years at his home circuit, Italy’s racing icon from Tavullia was, for the first time, the fastest driver on the track in qualifying on his own merit.

Fuhr in Misano auf Startplatz 1: Rossi im Werks-BMW

Foto: BMW

Plans for 2027 are also already in full swing for ‘Il Dottore’. Rossi is working hard to fulfil another dream: competing in the 24-hour race on the Nürburgring Nordschleife. To secure the right to compete, he intends to obtain the permit – the Nordschleife driving licence – as early as this year.

“I’m already competing in the entire GT World Challenge Europe series and hope to secure my Nordschleife licence before the end of the year,” Rossi explained in Misano to selected media representatives, including SPEEDWEEK.com.

Valentino Rossi must also qualify for the Nordschleife

It is not yet clear at which race Rossi will take the aptitude test. He will not be able to compete in the 6-hour race of the Nürburgring Endurance Series, as he will be racing in the GT World Challenge Europe at Magny-Cours at the same time. At the season finale in October, however, there is no clash with the European GT racing series.

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It is also unclear which team and which car he will use to complete the permit. However, as Rossi is a BMW works driver, it is likely that he will drive one of the new BMW M2 Racing cars, thereby also providing positive publicity for the new customer racing model.

Kommt Rossi 2027 als BMW-Werksfahrer auf die Nürburgring Norschleife?

Foto: BMW

Once Rossi has secured his licence for the ‘Green Hell’, nothing will stand in the way of him competing in a GT3 car at next year’s 24-hour race at the Nürburgring. There, the nine-time motorcycling world champion could face off against four-time Formula 1 world champion Max Verstappen in a ‘clash of the titans’; Verstappen is keen to compete once again in the endurance classic in the Eifel region following his debut appearance this year.

‘VR46’ set for a full schedule in 2027 too

In the past, the Italian has been critical of the unusual permit system on the Nordschleife, even though he has always stated that he would very much like to compete in the 24 Hours of the Nürburgring. However, following the relaxation of the regulations for this year, Rossi has opened up to the idea of a permit programme on the legendary circuit in the Eifel.

Furthermore, it is likely that Valentino Rossi will remain in the GT World Challenge Europe, where he would once again compete in the full Endurance Cup and Sprint Cup, lining up on the starting grid for all ten events. The 47-year-old has previously emphasised that he regards the series as the world’s best racing series for GT3 cars. As a BMW works driver, ‘VR46’ has long since proven that he ranks among the world’s elite on four wheels too.