Motorsport updates: Valentino Rossi at Barcelona and Ford's WRC return

The motorsport landscape is seeing significant developments in both GT racing and rally championships. At the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, the 2026 Speed Festival will feature the decisive Sprint Cup round of the GT World Challenge Europe powered by AWS. Former motorcycle world champion Valentino Rossi is set to compete in the event, driving a BMW M4 GT3 Evo for Team WRT alongside Max Hesse.

In rally news, Ford has officially confirmed its return to the World Rally Championship (WRC) in partnership with M-Sport. The manufacturer plans to enter the championship in 2028, utilizing an upgraded Fiesta Rally2 kit for the initial season while simultaneously developing a new WRC27 machine. This move is part of a broader motorsport strategy that includes Ford's presence in Formula 1, Dakar, NASCAR, and GT3 competitions.