MotoGP, Sportrik Media - Valentino Rossi has revealed a personal “wish list” of iconic endurance events he hopes to contest in 2026, with the Nürburgring Nordschleife and Suzuka 1000km at the top of his ambitions.
The nine-time grand prix motorcycle world champion transitioned full-time to car racing in 2022 after retiring from MotoGP at the end of 2021. Initially focusing on GT World Challenge Europe, Rossi expanded into the FIA World Endurance Championship in 2024 and completed a full WEC campaign in 2025 with BMW. For 2026, he has stepped back from WEC duties to concentrate once again on GT World Challenge Europe.
Rossi opened his 2026 campaign with a podium finish at the Bathurst 12 Hours, underlining his growing consistency in GT3 competition. Looking ahead, the Italian outlined the races he is most eager to add to his programme.
“I want to try and race on the Nordschleife,” Rossi said, as reported by Sportscar365.
“But for sure, the Spa 24 is the biggest GT3 race of the year. So, I want to win Bathurst, Spa, Nürburgring. Suzuka is on my wish list, because if I don’t do WEC, I have more time. I want to race at Suzuka, I love that track. The last time I raced there was 2003, so more than 20 years ago. I hope I can race it this year.”
Suzuka holds special significance in Rossi’s career. He won the Japanese Grand Prix three consecutive times between 2001 and 2003 and also claimed victory in the 2001 Suzuka 8 Hours alongside Colin Edwards for Honda.
Beyond GT3 ambitions, Rossi has not ruled out a return to the WEC should an opportunity arise in the Hypercar category. He recently committed to a new three-year factory agreement with BMW, leaving the door open for future prototype racing.
“If I have a chance to race in Hypercar, I would be very happy because I tried the Hypercar and it’s a great car, very fun,” he said.
“But I’m also happy to remain in GT3. My target is to arrive at the top, to be a top GT3 driver. If I have a chance in Hypercar, I will be happy, but also in GT3 I enjoy.”
With a long-term factory commitment secured and ambitions set on some of endurance racing’s most demanding venues, Rossi continues to build a second chapter in his motorsport career beyond two wheels.
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