It seems that between Honda and Valentino Rossi, the relationship will never be calmed, despite the time that has passed since the breakup in 2003. The brand has certainly ended up thanking a driver who still brought it three consecutive world titles , from 2001 to 2003. So to speak, the results spoke enough for themselves to leave the winged coat of arms with no other choice than to show this minimum of recognition. Because we don't seem ready to come together and hug each other, making a clean slate of the past...
Honda said thank you to a Valentino Rossi which dominated the period with its transitional bikes between the 500 two-stroke and the first MotoGP bikes. A period during which the Doctor won 51,5% of the races won by HRC and 84,4% of its 64 podiums recorded. And yet, everything ended in a big upset leading to a divorce which made the new bride Yamaha very beautiful.
We are in 2022, more than 20 years later, but the bitterness, despite the good words, remains in the pipeline. Thus, Vale's request to be able to have his motorcycle from the period in his personal collection went unheeded. There is also the memory of Mick doohan, well placed to judge what was happening at the time in the Honda box: “ At Honda they were arrogant, too sure of their bike. They did not respect the work done by Valentino for them ».
On Rossi, team manager Alberto Puig has no feelings
On this situation, the HRC Team Manager commented on Motorsport total : “ in the past there have been many great drivers, Valentino is one of them but life goes on, many have already retired and new generations are arriving. People like Valentino will always be remembered as important to racing but we live in the present ».
Then he adds, " races will not be affected by his absence, the important thing is that the races are exciting enough to entice people to follow them. And now that's it, although, clearly, Valentino Rossi will remain in the history of sport as one of the best ».
