On this Thursday, August 5, 2021, this Valentino Rossi press conference, as expected as it was feared, formalized the upcoming retirement of the nine-time Italian world champion.
Below you will find our translation of all the comments made over more than half an hour by the Doctor.
Valentino Rossi : " Hello everyone. I feel a little embarrassed here, I could use a table with you (laughs). As I said during the season, I made my decision about next year after the summer break. I decided to stop at the end of the season. Unfortunately this will be my last half-season as a MotoGP rider. It's difficult and it's a very sad moment because it's difficult to say or know I won't race a motorcycle next year. I've been doing this for more or less 30 years. Next year my life will change in some ways, but regardless, it's been great and I've had a lot of fun. It's a very, very long journey, very, very fun, 25 or 26 years in the world championship. It was great and I had some incredible moments…”
When you watch this video with all the great moments, what do you miss the most and how difficult was this decision to make?
“I've had a very long career and fortunately I've won a lot of races, but there are a few moments and a few victories that are more or less in the video that are unforgettable. It was pure joy and I laughed for a week, and even after for 10 days I was still laughing. People asked me why… “ah, OK, because of the race”. It's difficult, yes, it's a difficult decision! But you have to know and I think ultimately results make the difference in sport, in all sports. So in the end, I think this is the right way to do it. It was difficult because I had the chance to race in my own team in MotoGP, jointly with my brother. So that’s something I love for sure. But anyway, I think it's good as it is. We still have half a season left, I don't know how many races, 7, 8, 9 or 10, I don't know. I think it will be really more difficult when we get to the last races, whereas now it is just to announce to everyone my decision. But whatever it is, it's OK and I can't complain about my career. »
What can you say to all your fans around the world?
“I think, first of all, I have to tell my fans that I have always given my all, for a very long time, more than 25 years. I always tried my best to stay in the game, to stay in the leading group. It's a long journey together so I think a lot of my fans were born when I was already on the track. It was great because I had incredible support from all the fans around the world. Sometimes it's even hard for me to understand and has always surprised me a little, but it has always made me very, very proud. I want to thank all my fans and I think we had a lot of fun together. »
When did you make your decision?
" Decision ? During the season. At the start of the season I said I was going to decide during the summer break and I really decided during the summer break. When I started the championship, I really wanted to continue, but like I said, I had to know if I was fast enough. So unfortunately the results were worse during the season than we expected, we race after race, I started to think. »
What are you going to do next year?
" The following ? As I've always said, I love racing with cars, just a little less than on motorbikes, so I think I'll race with cars from next year. It's a process we're trying to figure out now and it's not decided yet, but I have a feeling I'll be a motorcycle racer or a car racer my whole life. I'm just changing from bikes to cars, of course not at the same level, but I think whatever happens I'm going to race. »
A few years ago you said you were afraid to quit. Is this very difficult to accept mentally? And you know that right now there are a lot of people crying in front of their screens?
“Honestly, two years ago, and even last year, I was not ready to stop racing in MotoGP. Because I had to understand and try everything, but now I'm OK, I'm calm. Of course, I'm not happy, but if I had done another year next year, I wouldn't have been happy either because I would like to win for another 20 years (laughs). So I think it's the right time and we still have half a season left where I'm going to try to be stronger than in the first half. I will give my best but I believe it is the right choice. »
You had the opportunity to race on your own team next year. Why didn't you grab it?
“Yes, I have a proposal from my team (laughs) for next year, an official proposal (laughs). Seriously, I really thought deeply about continuing because I would have liked to race in my team, to have motorcycles in Tavullia, my racing department here. I think we had a great Moto2 and Moto3 team, with a lot of people I've known for a very long time. For example, there are mechanics who worked with me in 250cc, so in 1999. So racing for my team would have been really fascinating. But in the end, I decided not for certain reasons. I should have changed bikes and I think it's a good plan if you have two or three years, but if you only have one season there are probably more risks than good things. That's why I decided this way. »
When you look back on your career, what were the defining moments?
“During my long career, I had a lot of difficult moments, but the one that was unforgettable, I would say were the three championships that were the most important in my career, that is to say 2001 when I I won the last 500cc championship, 2004 when I won for the first time with Yamaha, and also 2008, because I was already old and finished in 2008 because I had lost twice after five championships won in MotoGP. So normally, in a normal career, it's over. But by changing tires, switching to Bridgestone, I was able to get back to the top and fight with Lorenzo, Stoner and Pedrosa, and win another championship. I think these are the most important moments of my career. »
During these more than 25 years of career, you have had to make difficult decisions. Do you regret any of them?
“Honestly, I don’t regret my choices. For example racing with Ducati was very difficult for me, because we didn't win, but anyway it was a great challenge: an Italian rider on an Italian bike. If we could have won, it would have been historic! I'm a little sad not to have won my 10th championship, especially because I think I deserved it, with my level and my speed. I lost twice in the last races so I think I deserved the 10th title, but anyway, it is what it is. I think I can't complain about the results I've achieved in my career. »
How difficult was it to negotiate your future salary in your future MotoGP team?
“(Laughs) it wasn’t very difficult because it was between me and me (laughs). The salary was good! »
Do you think your decision will change anything in your personal life in relation to your fans?
“I think the difference between me and all the other very good MotoGP riders in history is this, because honestly I don't know why but for some reason I was able to bring a lot of people together around the competition motorbike. Without me, they would not have known MotoGP, the 125 and the 250, especially in Italy. In the first part of my career, I did something that touched the emotional side of normal people, and I'm very proud of it because it's something very special. On the other hand, it makes it more difficult in normal life, because you are always under pressure. You have to change your life, but I've always tried to stay as normal as possible and not change too much. It's like that ! It's the other side of the coin but it's OK, I'm still enjoying it. »
How much do you think you have changed this sport?
“In Italy especially, it seems like a lot of people started following motorcycle racing by following me. This is a bit what happened with Alberto Tomba for skiing. So I think it's the most important thing I've done in my career, with my results. Honestly, I don't know why (laughs) but I think I distract a lot of people on Sunday afternoon, and a lot of people enjoy not thinking about anything for an hour or two on Sunday. They simply enjoy following my race. I think it's the best thing and I think that's why I'm a legend. And even now when the results are no longer fantastic, a lot of people come to see me. It's very exciting, some cry, and it's always a surprise for me because I tell them not to cry and ask them why they're crying (laughs). But that's how it is and I think it's the greatest emotion. »
Do you realize that you are a star like Michael Jordan and how do you feel?
“It's not okay if I say 'yes, I'm like Michael Jordan' (laughs). Well… it’s probably better if you say it, if you mean it. The feeling is great, people recognize me everywhere, even in the most remote places in the world. When you go to Thailand, and you see the 46 on a scooter… it’s something special. Now it's a little different than when I was 20 or 22. At the beginning, I suffered a little more because it has a big impact on your life: you have to manage and organize everything in a different way. Now that I'm old, honestly, I like it more (laughs) because it's a special feeling that's hard to explain. »
Do you know in which category you will be racing next year?
“I always loved racing with cars because I started with karting, because Graziano was afraid of motorcycle racing because he had a lot of injuries and he thought the car was a little safer. So I started in karting and after two or three years I tried minibikes. And fortunately, I raced with the motorcycles. Fortunately because I don't know if I would have obtained the same results in a car, maybe not. So it was a good choice. But whatever it was, it stayed in my heart. During this motorcycle career I have always tried to improve my car skills, always racing and putting in miles to be ready for that moment. But I don't know my level and it's not the same as on a motorbike. You never run just for fun! If you are a real driver, you race to be strong, to try to do well and win. Honestly, at the moment I don't know which car, I don't know which races. I said I wanted to race at the 24 Hours of Le Mans and there's a lot of motor racing all over the world, so I think there's room for fun. »
Why have things been so difficult in recent years?
" I don't know. I think there is not just one factor, the different factors. For example, in 2018, I had a very good season and finished third in the championship. I didn't win a race but I scored a lot of points, and I could also have won in the last two races but I made a few mistakes. But it was high level! In 2019 I started very well, but then something changed. But what ? Sincerely, I do not know. Last year too, I was pretty strong at the start of the season and I made a podium and finished fifth. I was there, but afterwards, at the end of the season, I had more difficulty staying with the best. Anyway, I think the level is very, very high, and the new young drivers are always getting stronger and stronger. Today, all drivers train a lot and are hard-working athletes. So there are different things, but I don't know precisely what. Also this year, OK maybe I can't win, but I can be more competitive. But hey, we'll see. We still have another half of the season left and we will try to be stronger than in the first part. »
What will you miss the most?
“I think I'm going to miss the athlete's life a lot: getting up every morning and training with the goal of trying to win. I really like this life. First of all, I will miss riding a MotoGP, because it is a great emotion to be on a MotoGP on track. Second, working with my team, starting on Thursday and trying to solve all the little details to be stronger and stronger, working with the best engineers, chief mechanics, data analysts. Then, I'm going to really miss the feeling of Sunday morning, two hours before the race, because it's a time when you don't feel comfortable because you're worried. These are emotions, because you know the race is going to start in two hours. I think all of these things are going to be difficult to resolve. »
Photo credits: MotoGP.com
