Quotes from Valentino Rossi

We have the 2004 M1 here for reference, which is useful. It worked well here last year; we won the race and always did fast lap times so it will be interesting to compare it to the new bike and it will help us to understand which parts have improved.

I never race for records. The motivation to try to beat the record is not enough to continue. You have to enjoy it.

I don't like being famous - it is like a prison. And driving for Ferrari would make it far worse.

In 2002 the Yamaha was at more or less the same level as the Honda, better in some ways, worse in others. But in the winter of last year between 2002 and 2003, Honda made a big step forward and it seemed as if Yamaha couldn't quite match that improvement.

I'm Valentino Rossi. And I want to be a person, not an icon.

Fortunately during my career I have won more or less everything, so I need to enjoy it to have the right motivation.

As for the level of spectacle of the two disciplines, I leave it to the people who watch the races to comment.

How do Ferrari know what I'm doing next year when I don't know what I'm doing next week?

It's a big, big advantage because understanding what changes we might make takes time and it takes time to work out settings and to understand everything about the new machine.

The work that we do during the winter is very important; we have a new bike and it's important to develop it during this time.

I would have probably stolen cars - it would have given me the same adrenaline rush as racing.

I would have probably stolen cars - it would have given me the same adrenaline rush as racing.

Riding a race bike is an art - a thing that you do because you feel something inside.

I don't like being famous - it is like a prison. And driving for Ferrari would make it far worse.

If I test the car for a year I can be quite competitive the next season.

I race to win. If I am on the bike or in a car it will always be the same.

I am Valentino Rossi. If I stay in MotoGP it is to try to win. When that is not possible it is time to stay at home and work in the garden!

Sì, è vero, andavo bene a scuola. Certo, facevo bene un sacco di altre cose. Ma io volevo correre. Forte, fortissimo. Con la moto. E l'ho fatto. Pensa se non ci avessi provato.

You can tell people you fell because the bike didn't follow the trajectory it was supposed to follow, or tell them that you are actually really fast, but the bike simply isn't. inside you, however, you know the truth. You know you fell off because you made a mistake, or because your opponent is simply faster than you.

Per questo ho deciso che il mio numero, per il Mondiale, sarebbe stato il 46. Quel numero racchiude la mia carriera, in parte anche la mia vita. Di sicuro simboleggia la mia grande, incredibile avventura. Mi ricorda il giorno in cui tutto ha avuto inizio.

Avevo iniziato a vedere le cose mettendomi dal suo punto di vista, usando la sua positività, e ho scoperto che c'era effettivamente un'altra via per affrontare quella circostanza. Lì ho imparato che se ci sono due modi di vedere una situazione, è sempre meglio scegliere quello ottimistico.

If I test the car for a year I can be quite competitive the next season.

My approach to the races hasn't changed in my 20-year career. If I have the chance to attack and to pass, I do it, trying to get the best possible result.

I always enjoyed myself a lot in pre-school.