Motorsport, Sportrik Media - Valentino Rossi has welcomed Max Verstappen’s growing involvement in GT3 racing, playfully suggesting he helped “open the door” for the four-time Formula 1 world champion to enter endurance competition.
Rossi, who transitioned to four-wheel racing after retiring from MotoGP in 2021, shared his views during the GT World Challenge Europe season opener at Circuit Paul Ricard. He described Verstappen’s participation as a sign of the category’s increasing appeal among elite drivers.
“I opened the door a little, I cleared the way a bit,” Rossi said with a smile to Sky Sport Italia.
“I’m happy. I don’t think it’s all down to me, but it’s a great satisfaction to see Verstappen driving this kind of car. I really hope I can get on track with him soon and do a couple of laps together.”
Rossi has become a regular presence in GT3 competition, including a full World Endurance Championship campaign in 2025. He has also secured victories at major endurance events such as the Indianapolis 8 Hours, reinforcing his transition from two-wheel to four-wheel racing.
At Paul Ricard, Rossi competed in the six-hour endurance race driving a BMW M4 GT3 for Team WRT, alongside Daniel Harper and Max Hesse, further underlining his commitment to the category.
Verstappen, meanwhile, has quickly established himself in GT3 racing since obtaining his licence less than a year ago. He claimed victory on his Nürburgring Endurance Series debut and later secured pole position and a road victory at the NLS2 race, although the result was subsequently annulled due to a tyre regulation infringement.
The Dutch driver operates his programme through Verstappen Racing, running a Mercedes-AMG GT3, and is preparing for the Nürburgring 24 Hours alongside experienced team-mates, signaling a serious long-term commitment to endurance racing.
Elsewhere, Lance Stroll also made his GT3 debut at Paul Ricard in an Aston Martin Vantage. Despite showing competitive pace, his race was compromised by penalties and a technical issue that led to retirement.
Rossi emphasized that the appeal of GT3 lies in its technical challenge and driving demands, offering a distinct experience compared to other forms of motorsport.
“It’s a category that is really growing. The cars are fantastic to drive, and the essence of motorsport is still very clear,” he explained.
“They are fast, but also heavy and difficult to control, which makes the racing exciting. It’s just very cool.”
With increasing crossover participation from drivers across disciplines, GT3 continues to strengthen its position as one of the most competitive and attractive categories in global motorsport, opening the door for high-profile matchups in the near future.
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