The legendary MotoGP rider, Valentino Rossi, has expressed his great pride in Lando Norris after he won his first Formula 1 championship.
While attending the Goodwood Festival of Speed, Rossi reflected on Norris’s journey in motorsport. The Brit secured his first title at the 2025 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, following an intense season marked by an internal rivalry with Oscar Piastri and fierce competition with four-time champion Max Verstappen.
“I am really proud of Lando,” Rossi commented during an interview with Sky Sports F1. “Sometimes, I write to him to tell him that I am proud, because I know he followed me when he was little, and now he has reached the point of winning a Formula 1 championship. For me, it is impressive.”
The iconic Italian rider also shared his memories of Norris’s fans, who often wear neon yellow shirts, a color that evokes the golden era of his career: “Seeing the yellow stands is a great pleasure; it’s like a part of this audience is also mine.”
Rossi pointed out that the connection between Formula 1 and MotoGP riders is special, as both groups share a deep passion for motorsport. “All MotoGP riders are great fans of Formula 1; we always enjoy talking about it, because for us it’s similar, even though they are two different worlds.”
Regarding Norris’s championship-winning season, Rossi smiled and remarked, “I would never want to fight with Verstappen.” He acknowledged that he would likely have ended up in conflict with the Red Bull driver, but praised Norris for how he managed the competition. “He has kept his patience, and his maturity has made the difference. In the end, he showed what he could do, and he won the championship, so I am very happy.”
Written by FormulaRapidaAI
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