At 42 years old, the Italian may be contesting his last Grand Prix this weekend at Mugello, where he has won seven times in MotoGP consecutively (2002-2008). Rossi’s contract as a driver for the Sepang Racing Team (SRT) expires at the end of this season, and it seems impossible for him to renew it if we look at the numbers he signs this season: after the first five stops on the calendar he only accumulates nine points in his locker which places him in 19th position in the general table.
His last victory was in 2017 ( Assen ), his last podium was the only one he achieved in 2020 ( Andalusia ), and he has not claimed a pole for exactly three years, precisely since the one he signed at Mugello, in 2018.
“Results are crucial for any sport. And when you don’t achieve them, everything becomes harder. You have to work hard, also at home, take risks. But when the results don’t come, everything becomes heavier because you don’t enjoy it”, commented Rossi , who will start 19th this Sunday.
Il Dottore is not so far from the first in time as in position, even though the level of competition that exists today in MotoGP is what rules.
“In addition to the fact that it is going faster now, we are all very close. With the time in the morning (FP3) I would have been very close to the pole I did in 2018. The organization has worked hard in recent years to have races like this, in a group, which is the strength of MotoGP”, reflected the # 46 , before clinching: “I can be consistent, but not fast. It’s hard. I need a few tenths to be in the front group”.
The photos of Valentino Rossi at the 2021 MotoGP Italian Grand Prix
Photo de: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images
Photo de: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images
Photo de: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images
Photo de: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images
Photo de: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images
Photo de: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images
Photo de: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images
Photo de: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images
Photo de: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images
Photo de: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images
Photo de: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images
Photo de: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images
Photo de: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images
Photo de: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images
Photo de: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images
Photo de: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images
Photo de: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images
Photo de: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images
Photo de: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images
Photo de: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images
Photo de: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images
