Lando Norris' "special goodbye" for MotoGP hero Valentino Rossi

Lando Norris

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Norris' "special goodbye" for MotoGP hero Rossi

Legendary motorcycle racer Rossi will retire after the Valencian GP

Ian Parkes & Ewan Gale

Friday 12 November 2021 15:30

Lando Norris has sent a "special goodbye" to his hero and MotoGP legend Valentino Rossi ahead of the Italian's last race before retirement.

The Valencian Grand Prix at the Circuit Ricardo Tormo will see nine-time champion Rossi compete for the final time after an incredible 26-year motorcycle racing career.

Norris has made no secret of Rossi's influence on him in the past and met his idol at the British MotoGP round at Silverstone in 2019 whilst also paying homage with a Rossi-inspired helmet design at the Italian Grand Prix that year.

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Ahead of Rossi's final race, Norris has revealed he was messaged by 'The Doctor', as he is affectionately known, before launching into a heartfelt tribute.

"He sent me a message the other night because he is going into the final race of his career," said Norris.

"It's sad times, I'm going to miss him. I always try and watch as many MotoGP races as I can.

"He was the guy I watched when I was four, five, six years old. He got me into racing, got me onto a motorbike first.

“He’s been the guy that I’ve looked up to, the guy who’s kind of helped me get to this position where I am because probably without watching him, my ambition of being a racing driver wouldn’t have been so high.

"I'm lucky I got to meet him once at a race at Silverstone, got to go to the MotoGP race there."

Speaking of the void Rossi will leave when he retires, Norris added: "I'm going to miss him in MotoGP.

"I don't think it's just me, it's millions of fans who support him who are obviously going to miss him and his character because that's one of the best things about him, the guy he is, the character he is, amongst people, amongst fans. He has time for everyone

"So a special goodbye and he's definitely going to be missed."