Lewis Hamilton swaps his F1 car with Valentino Rossi’s MotoGP bike (video finally available)
Lewis Hamilton and Valentino Rossi - besides their passion for motorsports - have another thing in common: the energy drink sponsor, Monster Energy. With the help of the TV channel Sky Sport and the Valencia Ricardo Tormo circuit, the two drivers were able to each take a few laps on the other's vehicle. This unusual video was actually filmed at the end of 2019.
It is well known that Lewis Hamilton loves extreme sports. Whether it’s surfing, skydiving, or Formula 1 racing, the seven-time world champion also adores motorcycles and idolizes Valentino Rossi, a Moto GP legend. Having won the title six times, the Italian rider secured his first Moto GP championship after only his second season, although he already had titles in the Moto 500 category. The parallel with Lewis Hamilton is quickly established, as he also became the world champion in Formula 1 in 2008 after just his second season in the premier class.
The two men, very excited to participate in this exchange day, were able to give each other advice in front of the cameras and speak a little more intimately. Valentino Rosso currently drives in GT3 championship in motorsport. Prior to their meeting, Lewis Hamilton was able to complete 59 laps on his own motorcycle, accompanied by Morbidelli, a driver and former teammate of Rossi. A dream come true for Hamilton on December 9, 2019.
On one side, a 2017 Mercedes F1 with 950 horsepower under the hood weighing 650 kgs and bearing the specially applied number 46. On the other side, a Yamaha motorcycle with 240 horsepower weighing 157 kgs and sporting the number 44.
Blockage and disagreement with Monster Energy
The video of this exchange was filmed at the end of 2019, on December 9th. However, while this marketing move from the sponsor of the two drivers could have been unveiled directly, a setback came to block the release of the official footage.
Indeed, at the time, only a snippet could be found on Mercedes’ Facebook and a few photos. Eventually, with Valentino Rossi’s retirement, things seem to have been sorted out this year. Although the exact reasons for this blockage are unknown, we know that Sky Sport was finally able to unveil this exchange in footage with the agreement of Monster Energy, who seemed to want exclusivity to make an unprecedented documentary. However, this documentary ultimately never came out.
Not a first for Rossi
Note that Valentino Rossi had already driven an F1, with Ferrari and Michael Schumacher in 2006 and 2004. The story can be relived in our magazines.
