Valentino Rossi’s ex-engineer shares the one thing that helped him find his ‘best’ MotoGP form

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Valentino Rossi managed 11 consecutive top-three finishes in MotoGP championships between 2000 and 2010.

His career momentarily stalled after a failed two-year stint at Ducati before returning to the top five of the riders’ standings six more times between 2013 and 2018.

Rossi’s original spell with Yamaha was the one where he forged a legacy, winning four titles with them after making a bold switch in 2004.

The transfer from Honda was deemed a big risk at the time, leaving a team he had just won three titles with to join one of their rivals.

In 2003 they managed no podiums, but their forutnes soon changed after acquiring the services of one of MotoGP’s legends and some of his supporting cast.

Alex Briggs was one of Rossi’s Honda engineers who made the switch with him, and he told the Oxley Bom MotoGP podcast how and when the Italian rider performed at his best.

Valentino Rossi was at his ‘best’ in MotoGP when he was happy

Rossi’s 2020 Austrian Grand Prix crash accelerated his retirement but he was well past his best by that stage at the age of 41.

The last championship he was really in contention for was the 2015 crown, which teammate Jorge Lorenzo beat him to.

Things were never quite the same after Rossi’s infamous Marc Marquez kick in Malaysia – a decision which cost him an eighth title.

READ MORE: Carlos Checa shares the ‘lesson in humility’ Valentino Rossi taught him after joining Yamaha

His ex-engineer Alex Briggs mentioned that he always performed at his best when he was in a good mood.

“He was always, I felt he was at his best when he was at his happiest if he was joking a lot, or very relaxed,” he said.

“He rode, in my mind, better. The more relaxed, the happier he was, the better he rode.”

Why Valentino Rossi has backed Francesco Bagnaia for the 2025 MotoGP title

Despite running his own VR46 Racing Team, Rossi has opted against backing one of his own riders for the title in 2025.

Reigning champion Jorge Martin’s move to Aprilia Racing opens the door for a new victor (without a minor miracle).

READ MORE: Francesco Bagnaia reacts after Valentino Rossi tells him to give ‘5% more’ in MotoGP title bid

It should be of little surprise that Rossi thinks Francesco Bagnaia is the favourite for the 2025 title after missing out on a third consecutive crown by just 10 points last season.

His fellow countryman has a new teammate this season as six-time champion Marc Marquez arrives from Gresini.

Their battle should be a fascinating watch and could result in one of the most exciting campaigns in recent MotoGP history.