Valentino Rossi names the one area where MotoGP has always been superior to Formula 1

Add as preferred source on Google

Valentino Rossi is one of the few racers who has had the opportunity to ride a MotoGP bike and drive a Formula 1 car. He continued his motorsport career on four wheels after he retired from the premier class.

During his MotoGP career, Rossi sampled a variety of different disciplines, including rallying, DTM and NASCAR. He now competes in GT and Endurance racing.

One of Italy’s motorsport greats, he also completed multiple tests for Ferrari’s Formula 1 team. He went up against Michael Schumacher in 2006, and also drove the 2008 car.

Most recently, Rossi ‘swapped seats’ with fellow Monster Energy athlete Lewis Hamilton in Valencia in 2019. Hamilton rode the Yamaha motorcycle, while the Doctor drove Mercedes’ W08.

Valentino Rossi says the ‘adrenaline’ before a MotoGP race has no equal

Speaking on PoretCast, Rossi raved about the moments before a MotoGP race start. The schedule builds towards the main event with a warm-up session as well as the Moto2 and Moto3 action.

Rossi, now the owner of the VR46 team, has been reduced to a spectator. But his eyes lit up when he talked about the ‘adrenaline’ on the grid.

In his opinion, MotoGP has ‘no equal’ in this regard, not even F1. This may be down to the difference in safety levels.

Lap times may be slower, but the top tier of motorcycle racing is arguably more dangerous. Even this year, world champion Jorge Martin and Pramac’s Miguel Oliveira have had to miss races after crashing.

“I have to say that the adrenaline of MotoGP when they arrive on the grid about to start has no equal,” Rossi said. “Certainly no other motorsport. This is my opinion.”

What Valentino Rossi finds ‘scary’ about MotoGP

F1 pundit Martin Brundle has marvelled at the toughness of MotoGP riders. He can’t believe how quickly they get back on the saddle after a serious injury.

Even seven-time world champion Rossi admits MotoGP is a ‘scary’ business. Riders ‘don’t even think about it’ in their early years, but caution apparently creeps in after the age of 30.

Rossi took a ‘risk’ before his retirement, determined to go out as the ‘number one’. He continued racing until he was 42 – eight years older than anyone on the current grid.

Racing for Yamaha satellite team SRT, he finished 18th in his final season. His final title came in 2009, when he defeated teammate Jorge Lorenzo.