Valentino Rossi: Losing 'deserved' MotoGP titles motivates me at 40
Valentino Rossi says losing MotoGP titles he feels he "deserved" to win are helping to keep him motivated as he turns 40 years old
Yamaha rider Rossi, who celebrates his 40th birthday on Saturday, is still chasing an elusive 10th world title, with the 2019 campaign marking the 10-year anniversary of his most recent championship triumph.
Opening up on what makes him want to continue at the highest level after so many years, Rossi cited his dramatic 2006 title loss to the late Nicky Hayden, caused by him crashing out in the Valencia finale, as evidence that he "deserves" to claim an eighth premier class crown.
"[Winning 10 titles] is a dream that I still believe a lot in, but it's also a big regret, because I deserved it," Rossi said in an interview with Gazzetta dello Sport marking his 40th birthday.
"I lost two titles [2006 and '15] in the last race, and I've also been runner-up many times [also in 2000, '14 and '16], so my career deserved 10 titles. It's also for this reason that I still try.
"Valencia in 2006, if I stayed calm and didn't crash, I would have won. Then there were some things that I don't know if they were errors or not - moving to Ducati, or moving to Yamaha instead of continuing to win at Honda.
"Then there is what happened at the end of 2015, when I unfortunately lost the championship. But the real error was in 2006, I could have won."
Despite his age, Rossi has not discounted the possibility of signing a fresh contract to race beyond 2020.
"Honestly, I don't know," he said when asked if his current Yamaha deal will be his last. "It could be the last one, maybe not. We are talking about how something will finish before it has even begun.
"I have a lot of desire, and there are two more years. But I also start knowing they could be my last. I haven't decided."
Rossi said he takes great satisfaction from proving wrong those that felt he should have retired long ago.
"The first few times happened in 2007, I had already won five [premier class] titles. People thought I was in the twilight of my career. But I won two more titles, and above all, after more than 10 years, I am still here.
"It makes me laugh. If I'm not strong in a test, or I finish fourth,[I get told] I have to stop. It seems a bit extreme."
Reigning champion Marc Marquez, who Rossi admitted last year is a growing threat to some of his MotoGP records, was recently asked if he could see himself racing to the age of 40 like his rival.
The Honda rider replied: "Of course you want to ride at 40 years old and still have the motivation to ride the bike, but it's another thing to ride at 40 years old and be one of the favourites for the title.
"This is amazing and I would like to arrive at 40 years old and have that motivation, but every rider's passion is different. But he has opened a door for the others [to continue to that age]."
Previous article
Jorge Lorenzo says 'intention' is to end his MotoGP career at Honda
Next article
Moto2's Brad Binder says he's been promised a KTM MotoGP test
About this article
| Series | MotoGP |
| Drivers | Valentino Rossi |
| Teams | AB Motoracing |
| Author | Matteo Nugnes |
The hurdles Marquez faces next in his Portugal MotoGP return
Even by Marc Marquez’s own high standards, his MotoGP comeback on Friday at the Portuguese Grand Prix will be considered a success even if he didn’t top the times. But having shown competitive pace on his first day back, both Marquez and his rivals know plenty more challenges are to come
Where does Honda's new MotoGP signing sit ahead of its king's return?
Pol Espargaro’s first results as a Honda MotoGP rider may not appear special. But dig a little deeper and a clearer picture of his performance emerges. And, as Lewis Duncan writes, it’s cause for celebration at Honda with the return of Marc Marquez set to provide Espargaro with the reference he has been missing so far this year
The "pit bull" MotoGP rookie already drawing legendary comparisons
MotoGP’s 2021 rookie crop is one of the strongest in recent years, but one is already standing out. Jorge Martin’s Doha GP heroics have courted many to compare him to numerous MotoGP legends. Autosport spoke to Pramac boss Francesco Guidotti to find out why MotoGP’s latest Spanish star is already making such an impact
Why MotoGP's stewards must revisit Miller and Mir's Losail clash
Despite Suzuki’s decision not to appeal against Race Direction’s refusal to penalise Jack Miller following the incident with Joan Mir in Losail, something must be done to avoid a repeat of such an incident, which could have easily ended in tragedy
Has Yamaha banished its demons with its 2021 MotoGP bike?
Against the expected run of play at Qatar's Losail circuit, both Yamaha riders Maverick Vinales and Fabio Quartararo carved through a resolute Ducati defence to secure back-to-back MotoGP wins for the Japanese marque. After a difficult 2020, it appears that Yamaha has swaggered back into championship contention
Why MotoGP’s top gun looks more dangerous at the Doha GP
Lightning hasn't struck twice for Maverick Vinales since 2017 and his wayward form of recent years makes predicting how he'll fare each MotoGP race weekend tricky. But fresh from his Qatar GP win, Vinales looks like an even more dangerous prospect for the Doha GP following an intriguing Friday practice
Why MotoGP’s new Amazon series is long overdue
OPINION: MotoGP is getting its own version of Drive to Survive on Amazon Prime at some point in the near future. It was news welcomed by the grid’s leading riders. And following the impact DTS has had on Formula 1, MotoGP desperately needs the same boost.
Did the Qatar GP hint at Ducati’s true MotoGP leader?
OPINION: Johann Zarco talked a big game pre-season, and is so far vindicating himself as a factory rider at Pramac after finishing the Qatar GP as top Ducati in second. And contrasting his and Jack Miller's weekends and their approaches, is Zarco emerging as Ducati's true MotoGP leader?
