In the information flow from the last 2021 Grand Prix and the first 2022 MotoGP tests, they had gone unnoticed, but Honda's thanks to Valentino Rossi are worth reading.
Even if the separation in 2004 was experienced as a betrayal by the Tokyo manufacturer, and eventhere is obviously still a small dispute to be resolved, Honda showed great fair play in its press release…
Honda Racing Corporation would like to express its most sincere thanks to Valentino Rossi and wish him the best for the next stage of his life as an illustrious 26-year Grand Prix career draws to a close.
With Honda HRC, Valentino Rossi won three consecutive world championships in the premier class from 2001 to 2003, winning 31 of 48 races in that period and establishing himself as a force in MotoGP.
After a strong debut in the premier class in 2000 aboard the Honda NSR500 where he finished second, Valentino Rossi won the last two-stroke title in the premier class aboard the iconic Honda motorcycle. A dominant season saw the Italian driver finish more than 100 points ahead of his nearest rival. During that 2001 season, Rossi achieved a milestone for Honda by taking Honda's 500th Grand Prix victory in a thrilling race at Suzuka. This title would conclude the 500cc category and represent the last of ten world championship titles for the NSR500 after 132 victories.
For 2002, a new era began in the premier class with the introduction of 1000cc four-stroke machines, and Honda launched the RC211V with Valentino Rossi as part of the Repsol Honda team. Missing the top 2 just once that season, Rossi won the title again and cemented the combination of the #46 and RC211V as a force in the premier class. In its debut season, the new RC211V, with its dominating V5 engine, won 14 of 16 races and reached the podium in every event.
2003 followed a similar path as Rossi finished on the podium in all sixteen Grands Prix that season and won a third consecutive title with Honda. One of the highlights of the 2003 season was the Australian Grand Prix, with Rossi pushing the RC211V to overcome a ten-second penalty. Ultimately finishing 15 seconds ahead of second place, Rossi won the race despite the penalty. The season and his time with Honda ended in style with a special livery at the last race of the year in Valencia. Often referred to as the "Austin Powers motorcycle", this final Rossi-era RC211V remains one of the most memorable liveries of his career. 2003 would also be Valentino Rossi's most dominant season in the premier class, averaging 22,3 points per race.
The RC211V would score a total of 48 victories, including 33 for Rossi, before the introduction of the RC212V in 2007. Alongside the Italian, Nicky Hayden also won a world championship on the machine during a exciting 2006 season.
Since leaving Honda, Rossi has continued to be a fierce competitor and adversary on the track. His level of competition continued to help Honda HRC and its riders perform at their best on the track. Today, his career as a Grand Prix rider is coming to an end, but “The Doctor” leaves behind an incredible story and an exceptional chapter in motorcycle racing.
Honda Racing Corporation would like to thank Valentino Rossi for his collaboration, cooperation and competition over the years and wish him all the best as he begins a new stage of his life away from the circuit.
ありがとう Vale!
(Thanks Vale!)
