Valentino Rossi, the nine-time MotoGP World Champion and one of the sport’s most iconic figures, has announced his intention to significantly increase his presence in the MotoGP paddock for the 2026 season. The Italian legend, who retired from competitive motorcycle racing in 2021, has been splitting his time between managing his VR46 Racing Team, mentoring riders in his VR46 Riders Academy, and pursuing a career in four-wheel racing, notably in the World Endurance Championship (WEC) with BMW. However, in a recent interview with Motorsport, Rossi expressed regret over his limited involvement in the 2024 and 2025 seasons, stating, “I want to be more present in MotoGP races, so I will also do less car racing for this reason.” This shift in priorities is set to bring Rossi back to the heart of MotoGP, delighting fans and riders alike as he aims to reassert his influence in 2026.

Since retiring, Rossi’s appearances in the MotoGP paddock have been sporadic, limited to key races like Jerez, Mugello, and Misano in 2024. His focus on car racing, including a notable stint at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2024, has kept him away from the two-wheel world where he remains a towering figure. The VR46 Racing Team, which he founded, has become a competitive force in MotoGP, fielding riders like Fabio Di Giannantonio and Franco Morbidelli on Ducati machinery in 2025. Rossi’s VR46 Riders Academy has also produced stars such as Francesco “Pecco” Bagnaia, the first academy graduate to win a MotoGP title, and Marco Bezzecchi, now with Aprilia. Rossi’s brother, Luca Marini, rides for Honda, further tying the Rossi name to the sport’s elite. Yet, Rossi has admitted to feeling disconnected from his academy riders due to his racing commitments, a sentiment driving his planned return.

The 2026 season promises to be a pivotal one for MotoGP, with Liberty Media’s takeover of the championship expected to usher in a new era of growth and visibility, potentially mirroring the success of Formula 1’s Drive to Survive. Rossi, ever attuned to the sport’s evolution, sees this as an opportunity to strengthen the VR46 brand and support his riders more directly. “Day by day, month by month, Vale is more inside the MotoGP project,” said VR46 team manager Alessio “Uccio” Salucci in a January 2025 interview with Crash.net. Salucci predicted Rossi would attend at least six or seven races in 2025, a number likely to increase in 2026 as Rossi scales back his WEC schedule, which clashes with MotoGP events like the season opener in Thailand.

Rossi’s increased presence is not merely symbolic. His hands-on approach in the paddock is highly valued by his riders. Salucci emphasized that when Rossi attends races, “he doesn’t come for a holiday but to spend a lot of time in our box,” offering guidance to Di Giannantonio, Morbidelli, and academy riders like Bagnaia, who faces a high-stakes rivalry with Marc Marquez at Ducati in 2025. The Bagnaia-Marquez dynamic, rooted in Rossi’s own storied rivalry with Marquez from 2015, adds intrigue to his return. Rossi’s mentorship could prove crucial for Bagnaia, who aims to reclaim the title, while his presence may also boost team morale and attract sponsor interest for VR46, especially as the team benefits from Ducati’s support as a privileged satellite outfit.

The broader MotoGP landscape in 2026 will also feel Rossi’s influence. The sport is navigating changes, including KTM’s rumored withdrawal and Liberty Media’s push for a larger global audience. Rossi’s star power, which has drawn fans for decades, could amplify these efforts. His planned appearances at flyaway races beyond Europe, as speculated on Reddit’s MotoGP community, would further elevate the championship’s appeal. While Rossi’s car racing career, highlighted by a podium at the 2025 Bathurst 12 Hours, remains a passion, his heart clearly lies with MotoGP. As he told Motorsport, “I regretted not being so present at the races [in 2024] and I had less time to work with the riders of our Academy.” By prioritizing MotoGP in 2026, Rossi is poised to reinforce his legacy, not as a rider, but as a mentor, team owner, and enduring ambassador for the sport he defined.