Valentino Rossi, the legendary seven-time MotoGP champion, is considering stepping back from the World Endurance Championship (WEC) in 2025 to concentrate on the GT World Challenge Europe. This decision comes as Rossi looks to reduce his racing commitments due to personal reasons, including the upcoming birth of his second child. The BMW factory driver recently shared his thoughts with Motorsport.com, revealing that he plans to cut back from the current 16 races to a more manageable 10 or 11 events in the upcoming year.
This marks a notable change from Rossi’s earlier intentions, expressed earlier this year, to pursue a dual campaign in both WEC and GT World Challenge Europe alongside his WRT team for a second consecutive season. The 45-year-old Italian candidly admitted, “I realized that 16 races is too many,” echoing sentiments from his days in MotoGP. He emphasized that the frequent travel is straining, particularly on his partner, Francesca, who is often left at home while he races.
In reflecting on his future plans, Rossi noted that he must choose between the two championships. He acknowledged the prestige of competing in a world championship like the WEC, while also expressing his appreciation for the competitive nature of the GT World Challenge Europe, which features only GT3 cars. This highlights his desire for a more enjoyable racing experience, balanced with his family life.
Rossi’s considerations are not entirely new, though they illustrate a shift in his racing philosophy. He had previously deemed the combination of WEC and GT World Challenge Europe events as a suitable racing schedule. He also indicated that he is unlikely to participate in the Bathurst 12 Hours, which falls on his 46th birthday in February 2025, marking a significant personal milestone.
WRT team principal Vincent Vosse elaborated on Rossi’s situation, clarifying that Rossi’s decision to reduce his racing commitments is tied to the team’s performance in WEC and his own driver categorization, which changed this year. As he navigates these decisions, Rossi has expressed an interest in eventually racing in the Hypercar class, which he described as akin to the MotoGP of prototypes. This vision for the future remains open-ended as he evaluates his racing priorities for 2025 and beyond.