Valentino Rossi is officially a racing driver

By topgear, 14 January 2022

The MotoGP legend has ditched two wheels for four, signing up for the GT World Challenge Europe series

Valentino Rossi called time on his incredible MotoGP career last year, bowing out with 89 wins, 199 podiums and seven world championship titles in motorcycle racing’s premier class.

But having given up life on two wheels, the 42-year-old now has time to make good on his promise to give four-wheeled racing a go. And no, he isn’t riding two bikes at the same time: Rossi will contest the GT World Challenge Europe GT3 series with WRT in 2022.

That means he’ll be behind the wheel of an Audi R8 for the 10-round campaign, which kicks off at Imola in April before heading to Brands Hatch a few weeks later.

And he won’t be mixing it with the amateurs either: WRT is a factory operation that has won the last two titles, so the Doctor will be in at the deep end in the Pro class.

“I am delighted to join Team WRT for a full Fanatec GTWCE powered by AWS programme,” said Rossi. “Everybody knows that I have always been a great car racing fan and that I have always been interested in racing on four wheels once my MotoGP career would come to an end.

“Now I am completely available to devote myself to a car racing programme at a high level and with the right professional approach. Team WRT is the perfect fit I was looking for and I am anxious to start this new adventure in the GTWCE with them.”
It’s not been confirmed who will be sharing driving duties with the MotoGP legend, although his famous #46 will be present and correct.

“We all know what a great motorbike champion and sports figure Vale is, but most of all, he is a true racer and a very professional and competitive sportsman, eager to be as successful as possible in the new challenge he has decided to embrace,” said team principal Vincent Vosse. “This is exactly why we really wanted to work with him.

“The test we made at Valencia [last month] was extremely positive for both parties, in terms of technical feedback and working approach, and we took things from there. We warmly welcome Vale in the WRT family and I am sure that we are off to a very exciting experience for both.”

You may recall that Rossi has tested Ferrari’s F1 cars at various points since the turn of the millennium, reportedly giving Michael Schumacher a run for his money in equal conditions.

How will he fare in 2022?