Kimi Antonelli has given his thoughts on what it’s like to be Valentino Rossi’s closest confidant, echoing former Mercedes Formula 1 teammate Lewis Hamilton.
Since emerging as a dominant force in MotoGP in the early 2000s, Valentino Rossi From the premier class of Grand Prix motorcycle racing, he transcended the sport himself to become an internationally recognized figure.
F1 star Kimi Antonelli visits Valentino Rossi’s ranch on holiday – but which MotoGP rider will win the Formula 1 race?
In the year After retiring from the sport at the end of the 2021 campaign, Rossi continues to use his influence to help MotoGP’s next generation.
Take it Marco Bezecchiexample. The current MotoGP championship leader has been under Rossi’s wing through the VR46 Riders’ Academy since 2015 and could be on his way to join. Francesco Bagnaia In the sport, becoming the program’s only world champion.
F1 star Kimi Antonelli is another young talent now benefiting from doctor’s wisdom as the Italian racer dominates the championships on both two wheels and four.
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The 19-year-old phenom was present at the recent MotoGP round at Mugello and waved the checkered flag as his compatriot crossed the finish line for Aprilia, who were winning the Italian Grand Prix for the first time.
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It was a great historical occasion for Bezecchi, who later met for an interview with Antonelli Sports media collection In the Aprilia team garages. Both were asked their thoughts on what Rossi means to them, and both were very appreciative.
Bezeci replied: “He’s been my idol since I was a kid, I wanted to be like him. Then knowing him, talking to him, training with him and spending time with him, even though I see him as an idol, he became more important to me.”
In response, Antonelli expressed his admiration for how humble Rossi is despite his worldly success, adding, “He’s an icon, he’s made sporting history. I’m lucky to know him and be his friend, and I’m amazed at how down-to-earth he is.”
Interestingly, the Mercedes star’s comments follow seven-time F1 world champion Lewis Hamilton’s earlier revelations about Rossi when the two icons came together to switch their respective machines.
Speaking via The Standard, Hamilton said: “It was a privilege to spend time with Vale, and you get a sense of the man behind the helmet and all that success. He’s a really normal, decent, fun guy.
“Always smiling, always positive. His passion for what he does is obvious – no wonder, no wonder his success. There’s so much we can learn from someone like him.”
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