VAlentino Rossi is at Spa-Francorchamps this weekend for the 24 Hours. Qualifying didn’t go very well, with the 21st time he just missed out on Superpole. “Maxime Martin found traffic on his good lap and I made a mistake at the last chicane, too bador – explains the Doctor – But the race is very long, we still have all the chances to do well”. He will be the Belgian teammate to start the race, with Jacky Ickx kicking off today at 4.30pm.
Although his life is now on 4 wheels, Valentino’s eyes are always turned to MotoGP, where he has his team and his students. One of these is Pecco Bagnaia, who next year will share the garage with Rossi’s old rival: Marc Marquez.
“Marc’s arrival was a bit of a surprise for everyone: for me, for Pecco, but above all for Martin – the Doctor doesn’t miss a beat – It will certainly be tough for Bagnaia because he will have a very uncomfortable teammate, but I think he has everything he needs to stand up to him”.
And also the opportunity to show that you fear no one, even when you are on the same bike as them.“Journalistically I know it’s an interesting topic, but Pecco didn’t need Marquez on his team to show he was the strongest. A rider who has won 3 world titles, including 2 consecutive in MotoGP on Ducati, doesn’t need it.” his answer.
What is certain is that Valentino has a nose for riders, Bagnaia is his ‘creature’ and knows very well who to focus on for the future. This time, however, we are not talking about motorcycles.
“Italy is strong in many sports, but we are missing Formula 1 because we haven’t had a winning Italian driver for years. I believe Kimi Antonelli can fill this hole – it’s safe – I’ve been following him since he was little, during the Covid period we started playing together with car simulators and now, often, he comes to train on karts with me and the other drivers of the Academy”.
Speaking of 4 wheels, Rossi has no intention of stopping racing. In fact, he does not rule out jumping up a category.
“I would like to race with Hypercars, it’s every driver’s dream, like getting to MotoGP. The plan is to try it at the end of the year, then we’ll see. For sure, in 2025 I will continue racing GTs” doesn’t close the door.
