Francesco Bagnaia thinks winning the Valencia Grand Prix while wearing a vintage Valentino Rossi helmet was the “greatest way possible” to honor the MotoGP legend’s retirement.
In the opening half of Sunday’s 27-lap finish at the Ricardo Tormo Circuit, the Ducati rider followed down Pramac rookie Jorge Martin before making a crucial move on lap 15, securing Bagnaia’s fourth victory of the year.
Bagnaia, like all VR46 Academy riders, sported a special Rossi tribute helmet, with the Ducati rider opting for the livery that he used to win his first championship with Yamaha in 2004.
Rossi finished 10th in his 432nd and final Grand Prix appearance, embracing Bagnaia after the chequered flag.
“The most important thing was to celebrate him in the best way possible, and with my favourite helmet he did in the past – and the most significant I think, because in 2004 he won with Yamaha, it was not easy and he won,” Bagnaia said.
“So, was for me was the nicest one for the story this helmet had.
“So, I chose this one and today was the best way possible to celebrate him in his last race by winning.
“And it was nice the hug we had on track after the chequered flag. We shared a lot of emotions there, so I’m very happy.”
When asked by Motorsport.com if he felt any added pressure to win on Rossi’s final MotoGP appearance, Bagnaia added: “Sincerely not because [it was] was a positive pressure.
“I was not fighting for anything because the championship positions were already decided.
“So, I was just doing my race and I was doing what I was doing all the weekend. I’m just so happy to have won with this helmet.”
Bagnaia finishes his third season in the premier class in second place, only 26 points behind world champion Fabio Quartararo, who finished sixth in the Valencia GP.
His victory today, combined with Jack Miller’s third, gave the factory Ducati team the 2021 teams’ championship to go along with the manufacturer’s title.
Several masks inspired by MOTOGP racing drivers are currently available at the following websites for a reasonable price:
