Motorcycling legend Valentino Rossi has revealed himself to be a fan of Lando Norris and is proud of the British driver’s achievements, which led to his World Championship title
MotoGP legend Valentino Rossi has expressed his immense pride in Lando Norris following the British driver’s Formula 1 world championship title. During a joint appearance at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, the motorcycling champion looked back on the career of the McLaren driver, who has been an avowed fan of Rossi since childhood.
“I’m really bloody proud of Lando,” Rossi explained in an interview with Sky Sports F1. “Sometimes I text him to tell him how proud I am. Knowing that he looked up to me as a child, and now seeing where he’s got to and that he’s won the Formula 1 World Championship – that’s just brilliant for me.”
Rossi says that the sight of Norris’s fans in bright neon yellow brings back fond memories of his own famous crowds: “When I see the yellow grandstands, it’s a huge joy,” he beams. “It feels as though a small part of it belongs to me too.”
“This connection between Formula 1 drivers and MotoGP riders is great because all MotoGP riders are big Formula 1 fans,” says the Italian. “We always really enjoy chatting amongst ourselves, because although it’s similar for us, they are still two different worlds; we always have a lot of fun doing it.”
When asked specifically about Norris’s world championship-winning season, Rossi says with a smile: “I’d never want to get into a fight with Verstappen.” He does, however, admit that he would very likely have clashed with the Dutchman had he been racing against him himself.
That is why he also praises Norris’s composure in their head-to-head battle: “Yes, I don’t know if that’s the right approach, but for me it’s a normal one. He kept his cool, and the way he showed maturity in that moment made all the difference. I think, in the end, he proved what he’s capable of and he won the championship. I’m absolutely delighted for him.”
