KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 26 — Malaysian Motorcycle Grand Prix (MotoGP) outfit, Petronas Yamaha Sepang Racing Team (SRT) finally confirmed the signing of nine-time world champion Valentino Rossi for the 2021 season.
The much-anticipated announcement came ahead of the weekend’s Catalan GP at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, as ‘The Doctor’ will continue to use the Yamaha YZR-M1 machine for the ninth season in a row next year.
The Italian, who is considered by many as the Greatest Of All Time (GOAT) through a record-breaking career in the premier class of the sport since 2000, will join hands with compatriot Franco Morbidelli.
The announcement also confirmed a direct swap for French rider Fabio Quartararo, who has already signed for the Yamaha factory team to race together with Maverick Vinales.
Aged 41, Urbino-born Rossi is the only rider in history to win 125, 250, 500 and MotoGP World Championships, where he boasts seven world titles, 89 race wins, 199 podiums, 55 pole positions and 76 fastest laps in the premier class.
— Bernama
