Valentino Rossi Le Mans

Retired motorcycling legend Valentino Rossi’s switch from two wheels to four moved up a gear on Friday at Le Mans. Photo: EPA/MATTEO BAZZI

The Doctor is in: Valentino Rossi returns to the track

Recently retired former MotoGP champion Valentino Rossi has signed up to compete in the GT World Challenge Europe.

Valentino Rossi Le Mans

Retired motorcycling legend Valentino Rossi’s switch from two wheels to four moved up a gear on Friday at Le Mans. Photo: EPA/MATTEO BAZZI

Recently retired former MotoGP champion Valentino Rossi has signed up to compete in the GT World Challenge Europe.

Rossi joins Team WRT in the GT series following a test with the team in Valencia in December.

Valentino Rossi returns to the track on four wheels

The 42-year-old called time on a long and storied career in Grand Prix motorcycling with an incredible nine world titles to his name, but he isn’t done with the track altogether.

Rossi will be allowed to don his iconic number 46 for the series, which sees him fulfill a long-held ambition to race on four wheels.

The Spaniard is confident in his ability to compete in GT World Challenge Europe.

“I am delighted to join Team WRT for a full Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe powered by AWS programme,” Rossi said.

“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 Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe powered by AWS with them.”

Organisers are hopeful that Rossi will bring fresh eyes to their product.

“Seeing the legendary Valentino Rossi drive for WRT in the 2022 season of the Fanatec GT World Challenge Powered by AWS will be a landmark moment for the long-running series,” Fanatec/Endor AG CEO Thomas Jackermeier said.

“For us, it is also exciting to see an avid sim racer like Valentino test the waters in GT racing after such a long and successful career in motorsport. It is a testament to the quality of racing found in the Fanatec GT World Challenge and I can’t wait for this season to begin and see what he can do with WRT both on track and in the Esports Championship as well.”