Former MotoGP champion and currently BMW GT driver Valentino Rossi confirms that he and BMW are looking at opportunities to participate in the Nürburgring 24 Hours in 2027. Previously, it was difficult for the Italian to find time to obtain his Permit.

The DMSB has relaxed the rules slightly after Max Verstappens appearance at the Nürburgring during NLS7 and NLS9 – when he won his first GT3 race in a Ferrari 296 GT3 with Chris Lulham. The four-time Formula 1 world champion returned to The Ring in May 2026 to take on his first Nürburgring 24 Hours.

Rossi pushes BMW for 2027 N24

Rossi is aiming to participate next year too, now it’s possible to get the Nordschleife Permit in one weekend and experience in the digital Nürburgring Langstrecken-Serie (DNLS) also counts. “Yes,” the Italian told media including GT REPORT ahead of the Spa 24 Hours.

“It looks like you can do the permit in one weekend. We’re speaking to BMW to try to organize this, because for sure the Nürburgring 24 Hours is on my wish list to race. I hope we can manage to do this with BMW next year.”

The simulator part will not be a problem, he laughs: “It’s good, because I always race on the Nürburgring in the sim. We grew up with Gran Turismo on the Nürburgring, so we can make a lot of kilometers! If I can do the permit in one weekend, it can happen,” Rossi adds. “We spoke about more, because I also want to do [1000km] Suzuka.”

“I’m pushing BMW a lot. I don’t know if it’s possible, because I try and it’s still not decided. If one, it will be Suzuka. I like this championship (Intercontinental GT Challenge, ed.) a lot and from my debut with the car, I try to work hard. It’s quite difficult, as there are a lot of races outside of Europe. In the end I prefer to race here, because I like this championship a lot too. I’m happy to be here.”

Rossi among ‘young guns’ Harper and Hesse: “You feel younger too!”

If Rossi does decide to partake in the 2027 Nürburgring 24 Hours, his WRT teammates Max Hesse and Dan Harper are already experience. The duo took on the 24-hour race on the Nordschleife again this year on behalf of ROWE Racing, and were promoted to a podium after the disqualification of the #84 Lamborghini.

The relationship with his younger teammates is great, Rossi emphasizes. “It’s very good for me because I can learn from them. The experience with Max and Dan is great. I like it a lot, because it’s very exciting to drive with the younger drivers. You feel younger too, and it’s the same with my academy with the motorcycles,” Rossi says.

“I have to say that the feedback we give for the setup is very similar, so we almost always agree, which is important.”