Valentino Rossi has been under close scrutiny since he swore that the decision regarding his near future would be made in the coming weeks. He spoke to Alex Zanardi in a show with a marked “Italianness” to remember his journey and also what you need to have in yourself to accomplish it. But let us be reassured, this was not some sort of rehearsal for a farewell speech…
Valentino Rossi returned to the track to forget about happy confinement. So much so that it has become worrying, a few days before a crucial announcement on the meaning he will give to his existence, as he approaches his 42nd birthday: “ personally I can say that I did more than I expected and I am happy » confessed the Doctor. Worrying? He nevertheless reassures about his reunion with the motorcycle: “ now we are back to a much less boring life than before ».
Such a long career is littered with memories and anecdotes. So on Casey Stoner and the Laguna Seca duel, exacerbated by an overtake that overwhelmed the Australian. “ It was one of the best overtakes of my career » he assures. “ With Casey we overtook each other many times, like 5 times after not even three laps. The problem was that there were 27 rounds left and I didn't know how it would end. »...
“I wanted to prove that it was me who won and not Honda”
He also remembers his passage from Honda à Yamaha : " I chose Yamaha to prove that it was me who won and not Honda. It was satisfying, I made a risky choice. It's as if Hamilton left Mercedes to race with McLaren. At Honda they thought I was crazy when I decided to marry the Yamaha project ».
Then there were also the less prosperous periods, but not devoid of pleasures: “ I had a first part of my career where I won a lot, something that few drivers have done. However, after that the most difficult years came, where I earned less and had more disappointments. But they gave me days that gave me more happiness than when I won 12 races in a row ».
He finally ends with what it takes in oneself to get there… “ Viciousness in competition is in the DNA of a winner, because it makes the difference in crucial moments between a strong driver and a champion. If you are politically correct, you may have longer term benefits ". For a little one would be surprised to think that he exchanges with Andrea Dovizioso and no Alex Zanardi...
