Rossi signs on as Yamaha ambassador

Valentino Rossi has returned to Yamaha - but not as a rider. The nine-time World Champion has taken on a new role as Yamaha Brand Ambassador, which will see him officially represent Yamaha at race meetings, motorcycling activities and other events globally.

The deal sees Rossi reunite with the brand for whom he achieved four of his seven World Championships in 500cc/MotoGP and formalises a connection that has continued beyond the Italian’s retirement from racing at the end of the 2021 season.

“During my MotoGP career, I rode Yamaha bikes as part of my contract. But even after retiring, I kept using Yamaha bikes because I enjoy it,” Rossi said. “I'm happy the agreement is now signed, so Yamaha and I get to work together in this new set-up.

“For sure, this agreement between me and Yamaha gives a great emotion. We worked together for many years in the past, so it feels natural.”

The multi-year ambassadorial role, announced on 29 April, was instigated by Rossi himself, according to Yamaha’s General Manager, Motorsport Strategy Division, Tetsu Ono.

“Yamaha is very proud to have Valentino as a brand ambassador, perhaps even more so since the desire to become one came from him personally,” Ono explained. “To have a nine-time World Champion's seal of approval is the best recommendation you can get as a motorcycle brand.

“We are pleased that Valentino, the motorcycle racing GOAT (Greatest Of All Time), feels so enthusiastic about riding Yamahas, and that he’s happy to work in a close partnership with Yamaha again."

Lin Jarvis, Yamaha Motor Racing’s long-serving Managing Director and current Team Principal of Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP, added: “[Valentino’s] arrival at Yamaha was the catalyst that completely changed our MotoGP racing programme - to the point that Valentino and Yamaha almost became synonymous. Together, we achieved many wins, podiums, and four championships.

“We always considered Valentino as 'family', and as soon as he expressed his desire to keep using Yamaha bikes and become a brand ambassador, we went to work to make it happen."

Of Rossi’s 89 race wins over 22 seasons of 500cc/MotoGP competition, 56 were achieved with Yamaha, along with 86 of his 110 other podium finishes, making him the most successful Yamaha rider in road racing history.

Rossi’s first race win with Yamaha came in his first start on the YZR-M1 in 2004 after four seasons with Honda in the premier class. He would go on to win the championship that year and, to this day, holds numerous grand prix motorcycle racing word records, both with Yamaha and generally.