Lewis Hamilton tells Valentino Rossi: MotoGP is ‘more hardcore’ than Formula 1

Lewis Hamilton has told Valentino Rossi that Formula 1 drivers watch MotoGP riders “in complete shock” because of the “fear factor”.
Valentino Rossi
Valentino Rossi

The motorsport l💟egends came together for a joint interview having famously swapped their rides in 2019 for a fascinating few laps where Hamil༺ton rode a Yamaha and Rossi drove a Mercedes.

“I think MotoGP is more ha🙈rdcore,” Hamilton admitted. “These guys don’t have seatbelts.

“When they have a crash, it is big. It i✃s hard for them to improve safety.

“The fear factor for them isಞ always there, and has been there for years.

“Our sport is getting safer and safer. 

“We watch [MotoGP] in complete shock. It is n꧙erve-wracking.”

Lewis Hamilton (GBR) Mercedes AMG F1.
Lewis Hamilton (GBR) Mercedes AMG F1.

Hamilton and Rossi are each s💞even-time world champions in their 💙disciplines. Rossi, 42, retired from MotoGP at the end of last season.

While MotoGP conti𝓡nues into its third round of 2022 in Argentina this weekend, Rossi will be racing on four wheels at the 3 Hours of Imola r🉐ace for GT World Challenge Europe.

“I am excited for a new adventure, racing with a car,” Rossℱi said. “It is the second chapter 💧of my career.”

Hamilton asked: “When are you c🌠oming to Formula 1?”

Rossi: “Unfortunately I am too old!”

Valentino Rossi, Valencia MotoGP. 14 November 2021. Image courtesy of MotoGP.com
Valentino Rossi, Valencia MotoGP. 14 November 2021. Image courtesy of MotoGP.com

Hamilton explained: “I have always love🎃d bikes. When I was younger I wanted to ra🅘ce bikes, not cars.

“But my d🍎ad wouldn’t let me race bikes - he said they were too dangerous!

“He got me into four wheels rather than two.

“It was the right choice because♊ if I was racing during the time Vale was there, I wouldn’t have been so sꦰuccessful.

“Since I have been in ♋Formula 1, I have a super-bike and I like to do some track days. It is fascinating. It gives a different perspective.”

Rossi said: “All the MotoGP r✨iders love Formula 1, and the Formula 1 drivers love MotoGP. The two sports are at the top of motorsport and are very𝕴 connected.

“To drive a car or to ride a motorcycle? 🥃It is different ꧒but also the same. The lines are similar, and the braking. You have to be fast.

“If you can drive a car, you can also ride a bik🌱e, and the opposite.”

Hamilton and Rossi, French MotoGP 2013
Hamilton and Rossi, French MotoGP 2013

Hamilton: “Our skill is to adapt. On a bike you see lines that you wouldn’t normally take in a car. The braking is different but the goal is to get through as quickly as possible. We adapt - that is what𒀰 we do best. It is second nature.

“I have been in a fighter jet and even that felt nat💟ural!”

Rossi said about taking to the skies: “I am very scared but I want t♔o try.”

Hamilton told him: “The perception of your speed is different. You are faster but it doesn’t feel as fast as a bike on t🌸he🌸 ground.

“In a plane, I ❀blacked out. It was 8Gs and I did🦄n’t have a G-suit on.”

Rossi sa♕id: “Speed is exciting. It is something you get used to.

“The first time you try MotoGP you think it is impossible but you imp﷽rove. Your brain reacts. It is a great feeling.

“You are doing something very dangerous but with the feeling that, more or less, everything 🐠is under control.”

Updated schedule - 2022 Argentine MotoGP

Saturday

Moto3 FP1 (12:15-13:05 UK)

Moto2 FP1 (13:20-14:10 UK)

Moto3 FP2 (14:25-15:15 UK)

Moto2 FP2 (15:30-16:20 UK)

MotoGP FP1 (16:35-17:35 UK)

Moto3 Qualifying 1 (17:50-18:05 UK)

Moto3 Qualifying 2 (18:15-18:30 UK)

Moto2 Qualifying 1 (18:45-19:00 UK)

Moto2 Qualifying 2 (19:10-19:25 UK)

MotoGP FP2 (19:40-20:40 UK)

MotoGP Qualifying 1 (21:05-21:20 UK)

MotoGP Qualifying 2 (21:30-21:45 UK)

Sunday

Moto3 Warm-up (13:20-13:40 UK)

Moto2 Warm-up (13:50-14:10 UK)

MotoGP Warm-up (14:20-15:00 UK)

Moto3 Race - 21 laps (16:00 UK)

Moto2 Race - 23 laps (15:20 UK)

MotoGP Race - 25 laps (19:00 UK)

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