BMW M Motorsport will be aiming for the titles of the GT World Challenge Europe powered by AWS in 2026 with a top-notch team, including the seven-time MotoGP world champion Valentino Rossi will be a full-time member.
The Bavarian manufacturer is relying on two teams, WRT and Rowe, to defend the titles won by the former in 2025 and to claim the Endurance title. The Belgian team won the Sprint Cup team trophies and the overall classification in 2025.
The reigning champions, Kelvin van der Linde (South Africa) and Charles Weerts (Belgium), will race again for Team WRT. The duo, winners of the overall championship and the Sprint Cup last season, will drive the No. 32 BMW M4 GT3 EVO, as in 2025.
For his part, after a more diversified program in 2025, Valentino Rossi will return to his first love of motorsport, but this time with BMW, and will contest all ten rounds of the championship this year for Team WRT.
The Italian, who has triumphed as a guest driver on home soil at Misano for the past three years, will share the No. 46 BMW M4 GT3 EVO with Max Hesse (GER) in the Pro category, both in Sprint Cup and Endurance Cup.
For those who would like to see the MotoGP icon in action in France, the opening round on the circuit Paul Ricard on April 11th and 12th, or Magny-Cours from July 31st to August 2ndThese are the two possible options.
For our Belgian friends, Spa from June 24th to 28th is an opportunity.
For the five endurance rounds, Dan Harper (GBR) will join the Italian-German duo, while the newcomer to BMW M Motorsport, Jordan Pepper (RSA), will support van der Linde and Weerts in the Endurance Cup at the wheel of car no. 32.
Statements regarding the composition of the pilots:
Andreas Roos (BMW M Motorsport Director): “In the GT World Challenge Europe, we have achieved numerous successes in recent years. Therefore, we are approaching the 2026 season with great confidence and enthusiasm. Reigning champions Kelvin van der Linde and Charles Weerts will be starting the season. Together with the WRT and ROWE Racing teams, we have two exceptional lineups fielding a total of twelve official BMW M drivers in the Pro and Gold Cups. This gives us an ideal grid to aim for the titles in sprint races, the Endurance Cup, and the overall standings. We are eagerly awaiting the first round of the season at Paul Ricard.”
Vincent Vosse (Director of the WRT team): “We are ready and eager to start the new GT World Challenge Europe season, where we will be defending several titles. Since the creation of this championship, our team has enjoyed numerous successes. We are delighted to welcome new drivers like Jordan, Max, and Dan. The excitement is palpable before the start of the season.”
Charles Weerts (BMW M4 GT3 EVO n° 32, Team WRT): “I’m thrilled to be racing with Kelvin again in the GT World Challenge Europe and I’m delighted that Jordan is joining us. I’m really looking forward to competing in this championship, which is constantly improving. Even though we won’t have the number one on the car, we’ll fight hard to defend our Sprint Cup and overall titles, and to secure our first Endurance Cup title with Kelvin and Jordan. We have a very strong team and I hope we can achieve great things together.”
Valentino Rossi (BMW M4 GT3 EVO n° 46, Team WRT): “I’m really excited to be competing in the GT World Challenge Europe this year. I really enjoy this championship; the numerous duels make it exciting. It was my first four-wheeled motorsport championship in 2022. I can’t wait for the season to start.”
