MotoGP team, Petronas Yamaha Sepang Racing, is proud to welcome nine-time World Champion, Valentino Rossi for the 2021 season. This move was already hinted at in the past, however which members of Rossi’s team would join him in the move haven’t been finalized yet.
Rossi, who is currently with Monster Energy Yamaha, will join the satellite team. The 2021 season will only be Petronas Yamaha’s third season. Yet the Malaysian squad has already seen success in MotoGP, earning seven podiums and winning the Independent Teams’ Championship in their debut in 2019. This year, they’ve already pocketed four race wins and are leading the points in the Teams’ Championship.
Rossi will ride alongside fellow Italian, Franco Morbidelli. He will be brining over his crew chief, David Munoz, data engineer, Matteo Flamigni, and rider coach, Idalio Gavira. There should be little adjustment needed as Petronas also uses a Yamaha YZR-M1 race bike.
"On behalf of PETRONAS Yamaha Sepang Racing Team and all its partners, it is an absolute honour to welcome Valentino Rossi – an iconic rider and legend into the team next year,” said Razlan Razali, Petronas Yamaha SRT Principal. “His experience will be a great asset to the team as we move into our third season in MotoGP and we are sure we will be able to learn a lot from Valentino”
Rossi has competed in the premier class since 2000 and is the only rider in history to win the 125cc, 250cc, 500cc and MotoGP World Championships. In the premier class alone, Valentino boasts seven world titles, 89 race wins, 199 podiums, 55 pole positions and 76 fastest laps.
