The racing world has witnessed another unexpected twist in Valentino Rossi’s transition from MotoGP to GT racing. The Italian icon has decided to postpone his plans to obtain the mandatory DMSB Permit Nordschleife (DPN) for the Nürburgring-Nordschleife this year.
Rossi was initially set to make his permit run during the upcoming NLS double-header driving a BMW M2 Racing car. However, scheduling conflicts and a busy calendar have led to this change of plans. Instead, Rossi will focus on the GT World Challenge Europe round in Zandvoort next weekend.
Scheduling conflicts and future plans
WRT team principal Vincent Vosse confirmed that Rossi’s next race will be in Zandvoort, citing scheduling conflicts as the primary reason for the postponement. The NLS double-header clashes directly with the MotoGP race in Misano where Rossi remains a key presence as a team owner.
BMW M Motorsport aligned with this position, stating that Rossi’s calendar did not allow for the permit process to be carried out this year. However, the door remains open for Rossi to participate in the Nürburgring 24 Hours in the future. “The Nürburgring 24 Hours has always been on Vale’s agenda because it is a race he loves. But that does not mean it will happen immediately. He will do it when it fits well into his calendar,” Vosse explained.
Vosse emphasized that there was no sudden change of heart, but rather a matter of aligning all the dates and slotting them into the calendar. He promised that fans will see as much of Rossi next season as they have this year, indicating that the Italian legend’s GT racing career is far from over.
Addressing rumors and misunderstandings
The late nature of the decision raised eyebrows in the paddock, leading to speculation about potential disagreements between WRT and the SRO Motorsports Group. However, Vosse firmly rejected these rumors, stating that there were no issues with SRO.
“I never really had an issue with SRO. I simply voiced my opinion on a few matters,” Vosse said. He assured that WRT’s relationship with SRO is as good as ever, dismissing any suggestions of friction affecting Rossi’s racing plans.
Adding to the challenges, WRT faced an unexpected issue at the Nürburgring GTWC Endurance Cup round when local authorities ordered the closure of the team’s hospitality unit for Saturday and Sunday. Despite this setback, Vosse clarified that this incident had no bearing on Rossi’s racing plans.
The road ahead for Rossi and BMW
Rossi’s participation in the Nürburgring 24 Hours remains a possibility for early 2027. However, the timeline would be tight, given the need for preparatory track time in the BMW M4 GT3 Evo. Rossi’s focus will now shift to the Zandvoort round of the GT World Challenge Europe, where he will continue to gain experience in GT racing.
As Rossi navigates his transition from MotoGP to GT racing fans can expect to see him compete in various series and events. While the Nürburgring-Nordschleife permit plans have been postponed, Rossi’s passion for racing remains undiminished, and his future in GT racing promises to be just as exciting as his legendary MotoGP career.
