Valentino Rossi confirms career will end at Yamaha, but seeks respect from Jorge Lorenzo in final season
Italian star and nine-time MotoGP champion, who missed out on 2015 title by five points, hopes to exit on a high note
Moto GP star Valentino Rossi has confirmed he will end his career with Yamaha, but called on teammate Jorge Lorenzo to show him “respect” in what could be the Italian’s 15th and final season.
Nine-time world champion Rossi missed out on the 2015 world title by five points to Lorenzo after the Spaniard won the final race of the season in Valencia in controversial fashion.
I would like to race also after 2016. In any case, I will end my career with Yamaha
Rossi, who fought his way through the field to finish fourth after failing to get past Lorenzo and Honda riders Marquez and Dani Pedrosa, later accused the Spanish trio of a cosy agreement to stitch up the result.
Speaking on Monday at the launch of Yamaha’s new M1 bike, the 36-year-old Rossi said he could race beyond the 2016 season, but confirmed his intention to finish his career with the Japanese manufacturer.