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MotoGP, Rossi: “I felt like a real Formula 1 driver with Hamilton"

“I wished the day would never end. Lewis on the M1? He had a great position." The Mercedes champion: "I was excited for Valentino.”

MotoGP: Rossi: “I felt like a real Formula 1 driver with Hamilton"

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The silence has been broken, even if delayed. Monster released the images (see them all HERE) that show us the exceptional day Rossi and Hamilton had. We all know how it went: Valentino took Lewis’ place in Valencia on the Mercedes Formula 1, and the British champion got behind the handlebar of the Doctor's Yamaha MotoGP. 

A day where having fun was their only objective, and the two champions discovered they still had a dream to fulfill.

"I used to be a big Lewis fan but now even more,” Rossi commented.  “We had a fantastic day, where two top motorsport champions not only met but worked together. I felt like a real F1 driver for a day. I wish the day had never ended."

The Doctor then went into detail.

"Testing the W08 was a spectacular opportunity for me,” he said. “I had already tried an F1 car, but a lot has changed since then. Honestly, I was impressed by the car and how easy it was to handle, as well as by the Mercedes team, AMG Petronas Motorsport. Working with them was great. They were very welcoming and made it easy for me to get a feel of the car. At first, it felt incredibly fast.  But the transverse force generated was not that much. It just takes a little while to get used to. Once I got the pace, I was really able to push. It was a great experience.”

Valentino didn't only drive the car but also rode a few laps on his M1 with Hamilton.

 

I also rode the M1 on the track with Lewis,” he confirmed. “It was a proud moment for the team, sharing our passion with him. Valencia is a difficult track on a technical level, and it was windy so, at some point, I thought it would have been difficult for Lewis to continue, but he was brilliant on the bike, and his position on the M1 was fantastic. I think he had a lot of fun, which is the most important thing.”

The Doctor was not mistaken. Hamilton enjoyed every moment on the MotoGP branded with his #44.

It’s great to see a legend like Valentino in the car,” his said. “I was excited for him, for having tried my car for the first time. It reminded me of my first time in an F1 car, when you see the whole team around you. In the end, it’s just a different kind of animal.

 

Lewis also commented on his experience on the M1 with Rossi. “It was nice to be on the track and see Valentino in front of me on the same bike.”

Yamaha’s Managing Director, Lin Jarvis, also wanted to comment on the day.

It was an exceptional day. Having Lewis and Valentino with us, two sports symbols together, at the same time and in the same place, was really incredible. I was really happy to be there to witness it and enjoy it,” he said. “I was very impressed by Lewis’ performance. How many car racing champions can come here, get on an M1, get out there, and be proud of it? Being fast on a bike on the track is already a lot, and it’s even more challenging to ride an official MotoGP.

What struck me most was the moment when he and Valentino were very close to each other, side by side on their M1s,” he continued. “Lewis said he has been a MotoGP and Valentino fan for years. His desire was to ride on the track with Valentino and experience riding an M1 one day. He fulfilled both wishes at the same time! It was great to see that even a six-time Formula 1 world champion, who has already achieved so many things, can still fulfill a dream on a special occasion like this. We’re also very happy for Valentino, who had another chance to test himself with an F1 car. He definitely had a lot of fun, and we heard a very positive feedback from the Mercedes team too. All in all, I think it was a unique event.

 

Translated by Leila Myftija
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