Valentino Rossi’s retirement from MotoGP might not be the end of the Doctor’s motorsport career as he targets a switch to race cars.
Overnight, Rossi confirmed the much-anticipated speculation that this year would be his last in MotoGP.
Rossi has 115 Grand Prix victories to his name over a decorated 26-year career on two wheels.
Now, the 42-year-old says he wants to take up a new challenge. This time, on four wheels.
“I already said that I love to race with cars, just a little bit less than with a motorcycle,” he said.
“I think I will race with cars from next year. But now, [it] is all in the process… not decided yet.”
Rossi has previously toyed with the idea of switching to Formula 1 after testing with Ferrari a handful of times between 2006 and 2008.
This year, he finished third in his class at the Gulf 12 Hour in a Ferrari 488 GT3 car.
In last night’s press conference, he said that a move to cars wouldn’t take away his competitive edge, saying it is only worth it if he feels he could win.
“I feel that I am a rider or a driver for all lifelong,” he said.
“So, I change from motorcycle to cars, for sure, not at the same level.
“But you never race for fun, just for fun. If you are a real rider or driver you race to be strong and for the win. [You] try to have a good result.”
Rossi says he is not sure what race car categories he might compete in next year but re-emphasised his ambition of racing in the Le Mans 24 Hour.
“At the moment, I don’t know which cars, I don’t know which races.
“I said that I want to race at the 24 Hours of Le Mans and have a lot of car racing around the world, so I think I can enjoy.”