Valentino Rossi will make a full-time return to the 2026 GT World Challenge (GTWC) Europe powered by AWS season aboard the #46 BMW run by Team WRT. The Italian star will contest both Sprint and Endurance campaigns after running partial programmes across the previous two years.
Rossi balanced selected appearances in 2024 and 2025, claiming two victories at his home circuit, Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli. He also added two further starts at the blue-riband CrowdStrike 24 Hours of Spa, continuing his steady progression in GT racing.
Now, he will tackle the full 10-round championship as part of a refreshed Pro line-up that blends experience and youth.
Rossi benefits from factory strength alongside the #46 BMW run by Team WRT for 2026 GTWC Europe
Rossi will share the #46 BMW with fellow factory drivers Max Hesse and Dan Harper. Despite being just 24 and 25 years old respectively, Hesse and Harper have already established themselves as proven race winners in GT World and command strong reputations on the international stage.
Hesse will partner Rossi throughout the Sprint Cup, which features five events at Brands Hatch, Misano, Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours, Circuit Zandvoort and Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya. The pairing will aim to combine Rossi’s racecraft with Hesse’s sharp qualifying pace across the short-format contests.
For the Endurance Cup, Harper will join the duo for rounds at Circuit Paul Ricard, Autodromo Nazionale Monza, Nürburgring and Autódromo Internacional do Algarve, as well as the prestigious Spa 24 Hours. The trio will target consistent points finishes while challenging for podium results at marquee events.
A busy international schedule
Beyond his GT World commitments, Rossi will also compete in the opening round of the Intercontinental GT Challenge season. He will line up with Team WRT at the Meguiar’s Bathurst 12 Hour, adding another high-profile endurance event to his programme.
The 2026 GT World campaign will begin at Circuit Paul Ricard on 11/12 April, following the official Prologue on 8/9 April. The Sprint Cup curtain-raiser will take place at Brands Hatch on 2/3 May.
With a full-season commitment and strong factory support, Rossi now prepares for his most comprehensive GT World challenge yet.
