Valentino Rossi to Reduce Car Racing in 2025 in Favour of MotoGP
Valentino Rossi admits he aims to attend more MotoGP races in 2025, and as a result will compete in fewer four-wheel races
Nine-time motorcycle world champion Valentino Rossi will reduce his four-wheel racing exploits this year in favour of being around the MotoGP paddock more than in the last couple of seasons.
The seven-time MotoGP champion owns the VR46 team with riders Fabio Di Giannantonio and Franco Morbidelli set to contest the 2025 season aboard Ducati bikes. Di Giannantonio was with the team in 2024 but Morbidelli is a new addition, although the Italian is very familiar to Rossi as he is one of several current MotoGP riders who came through the famous VR46 academy.
Rossi was not seen much throughout 2024 when it came to MotoGP, instead it marked a turning point in his four-wheel racing career as the motorcycle legend competed in the 24 Hour of Le Mans race for the first time with BMW.
Rossi and his WRT team were leading the race before an accident in the evening ended their hopes of victory. Despite this, the MotoGP team owner is going to reduce his four-wheel racing participation this year, allowing him to have a more hands-on approach in the MotoGP world championship.
“I regretted not being so present at the races [in 2024] and I had less time to work with the riders of our Academy," Rossi told Motorsport. “In 2025 I want to be more present in MotoGP races, so I will also do fewer car races for that reason.”
Liberty Media’s impending takeover of MotoGP has also been listed in the Motorsport report as being one of the reasons why Rossi intends to be more present within the paddock.
With Pramac leaving Ducati’s ranks, Rossi’s VR46 team has benefited even before lights out in Thailand took place, as Di Giannantonio will be riding identical machinery as factory duo Francesco Bagnaia and Rossi’s great rival Marc Marquez.
Find all the latest motorcycle news on Visordown.com
After graduating with a sports journalism degree, Robert joined Crash.net to lead the WorldSBK coverage in 2021, while also providing MotoGP coverage. Fulfilling that role for over three years, Robert was able to put his knowledge about all things racing to the test.
