Ferrari send message to Valentino Rossi as MotoGP legend announces retirement. Ferrari send message to Valentino Rossi .

After racing for over two decades at the highest echelon of motorbikes, Valentino ‘the Doctor’ Rossi has announced his retirement from the sport at the end of 2021.

Rossi’s incredible aura and outstanding track record on two wheels – seven world titles and 89 race wins in MotoGP – compels us to honour one of motorsport’s most legendary figures.

The Italian rider informed the world of his retirement, 25 years after his debut in the sport, ahead of this weekend’s Grand Prix of Styria.

“I said I would take a decision for next year after the summer break, and I decided to stop at the end of the season,” Valentino Rossi confirmed – “Unfortunately, this will be my last half season as a MotoGP rider. And it’s difficult, it’s a very sad moment because it’s difficult to say and know that next year I will not race with a motorcycle, I’ve done that for I think more or less 30 years! Next year, my life will change. But it was great, I’ve enjoyed it very much, it’s been a long, long journey and it was really, really fun,” added the Petronas Yamaha SRT – “It’s 25, 26 years in the World Championship, so it was great. And I had a unforgettable moments with all my guys, the guys who work for me, so… I don’t have a lot to say! Just this.”

At the peak of his career in MotoGP, Rossi mulled a move to four wheels, a plan that was even backed by Ferrari with whom Vale tested several times between 2004 and 2010.

In the end, Rossi never changed his destiny to try and emulate the great John Surtees, but at the time Ferrari was dead serious about its plans to move the Italian rider into F1.

“Everyone knows it was not a publicity operation, Ferrari did not need it,” former Ferrari boss Luca di Montezemolo said earlier this year.

“Ciao Valentino, it’s been wonderful watching you perform on race tracks around the world for all these years and it was also fantastic to share days like this together. Thanks for all the great moments you have given us and best of luck for whatever you do next! #GrazieVale” – Ferrari posted on social media.