MotoGP legend Valentino Rossi recently announced that he will compete in a full season of the GT Challenge Europe series for 2022, racing with Team WRT. The nine-time world champ bid adieu to motorcycle racing after a legendary career spanning over 20 years. One highlight of his illustrious career was his rivalry with former teammate Jorge Lorenzo.

The two best riders of their time were part of the Yamaha line-up before their clear rift forced Rossi to bow out of his seat. The peak of their rivalry was from 2008 to 2010. The Italian clinched the world title in 2008 and 2009 while the Spaniard stood on top in 2010. In a recent talk show with American journalist Graham Bensinger, Rossi said that his rivalry was akin to the F1 battle between Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg.

Hamilton joined Mercedes ahead of the 2013 season, while Rosberg was a part of the Brackley outfit since 2010. The two had a long-standing relationship from the Karting days, but it faded away with time when they started competing for championships together. After 3 years of intense battles, Rosberg achieved his lifetime goal of an F1 championship in 2016 and bid adieu to F1 the same year.

Rossi-Lorenzo similar to Hamilton-Rosberg

Valentino Rossi shares a great relationship with Lewis Hamilton. The two ambassadors of their respective sports carry immense respect for each other. While talking to Graham Bensinger, Rossi told about his relationship with Lewis. “He’s incredible. His passion for motorsports, his passion for MotoGP, but in general, he’s very curious. I always text with him,’ Wanna come to the ranch’. He’s a good guy. (What do you guys message about?) Just usually congratulations after the races or support, you know,” said Rossi.

When Bersinger asked Rossi if his rivalry with former teammates resonates with that of Hamilton and Rosberg, he replied in agreement. “It seems very similar. They are more friends compared to me and Lorenzo because they raced together from the go-karts. But yes, it’s very similar. Two top riders with the best team,” said Rossi. 

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“The problem is that you fight for the same goal. It’s not easy because everybody wants to win. It’s difficult because something happens on the track or in an interview with a journalist, the tension is very high. It is very difficult to don’t ever fight, like Nico and Lewis, for example,” he added.

Nico Rosberg recently expressed his sympathies for his former teammate for missing out on a record-breaking title. However, the Briton is still in isolation after the Abu Dhabi debacle and fans are eagerly waiting for updates on his return.

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