Valentino Rossi wants Dakar and Le Mans
Rennie Scaysbrook | February 3, 2017
Valentino Rossi eyes his four wheel future in this interview
Prior to the MotoGP tests at Sepang, Movistar Yamaha conducted an in house interview (above) with Valentino Rossi—the interviewer being his boss, Lin Jarvis!
But far from being a straight up PR stunt, the interview with Rossi is a rather entertaining insight into his mindset of the past couple of seasons in MotoGP, his involvement with young riders in his various camps at his base in Tavullia, Italy, and, of his plans for the future.
The most interesting revelation being that the nine time world champion is very interested in taking on the Dakar Rally when he eventually retires from MotoGP.
“Yes, is one goal, to try and do Dakar in the future. But, is very, very hard,” Rossi said. “You have to be well prepared, but for sure in a car, because on the motorcycle is very dangerous. But for me, I am more concentrate on the 24 Hour of Le Mans. This is the first goal. Because on the track, I feel better! Maybe when I stop with the bike, we can have time.”
Rossi’s love of four wheel racing is well known. He’s a multiple winner of the famous Monza Rally, has competed in various WRC (World Rally Championship) races and toyed with the idea of switching to Formula One following a number of high profile tests with Ferrari where he was on the pace of then team driver, Michael Schumacher, in 2006.
But following a bit of soul searching at the end of that 2006 season, Rossi decided to stay with motorcycle racing as he felt he still had something to offer the sport. Well, two more MotoGP championships and three second places later, it’s clear The Doctor made the right decision.