Valentino Rossi Nurburgring Status: Update for September 2026
Valentino Rossi’s Nurburgring plans remain on hold. As of 26 September 2026, the Italian has pulled out of this month’s Nurburgring Langstrecken-Serie outing. The reason is simple: a Rossi Nurburgring MotoGP clash with the Misano weekend has left BMW and WRT no room to complete his permit.
Nothing has changed since we first covered his decision in our original report on Rossi’s Nurburgring decision. Rossi’s focus stays on MotoGP for now. The Nordschleife will have to wait.
Calendar Clash Forces Rossi to Delay Nordschleife Permit
Rossi was due to drive a BMW M2 Racing next weekend to earn his mandatory Nordschleife permit. That plan has now fallen through. The NLS double-header lands on the exact same weekend as the San Marino MotoGP round at Misano.
He can’t race in Italy and drive in Germany on the same days; something had to give. His MotoGP commitments were fixed well in advance, so the Nurburgring date was always going to move. BMW M Motorsport confirmed the outcome directly.
Valentino Rossi will not be completing a permit for the Nurburgring-Nordschleife this year. While discussions did take place, Valentino’s calendar ultimately did not allow for the permit process to be carried out.
That statement closes the door on this year, though it leaves the future open. Our piece on recent MotoGP paddock developments covers some of the wider scheduling pressure riders face this season.
BMW and WRT Confirm Nurburgring Project Paused Not Abandoned
According to BMW, logistical hurdles have halted Rossi’s immediate Nordschleife roadmap. The manufacturer stopped short of ruling out a future attempt. The permit process simply needs a gap in the calendar, and right now none exists.
According to Vincent Vosse, WRT’s team principal, the project has been paused rather than abandoned. He made clear that the Nurburgring 24 Hours remains a genuine goal for Rossi. It just isn’t an immediate one.
The Nurburgring 24 Hours has always been on Vale’s agenda because it is a race he loves. But that does not mean it will happen immediately. He will do it when it fits well into his calendar.
Vosse also explained why fitting the Nurburgring into Rossi’s programme is so hard in practice.
It is a matter of aligning all the dates and slotting them into the calendar, which makes the logistics quite complex.
Why Did Rossi Cancel His Nurburgring Outing?
Rossi cancelled his Nurburgring outing because the NLS double-header falls on the same weekend as the Misano round of MotoGP. He simply cannot be in two places at once. That is the whole story behind the Rossi Nurburgring MotoGP clash: two fixed dates, one calendar, no way to shift either.
The permit itself matters. It is mandatory for anyone hoping to race the Nurburgring 24 Hours. Rossi cannot enter that race, or return to full NLS competition, without completing the process on track first. Missing this window pushes his timeline back. It does not close it for good.
What Happens Next for Rossi’s GT Racing Season
Rossi’s attention now shifts back to his factory GT programme. He returns to action when GT World Challenge Europe heads to Zandvoort, resuming his campaign in BMW colours.
The Nurburgring permit will wait until a suitable gap appears in his combined MotoGP and GT schedule. Until then, keep an eye on our wider motorsport updates and news for any change to his plans.
