Valentino Rossi was certainly one, if not the main, source of growth for MotoGP for a long time, but, after his retirement in 2021, his ‘effect’ on the category ‘faded’, believes Davide Brivio.
In statements to MotoSprint, quoted on Crash.net, the current team manager of Trackhouse Racing addressed the current state of MotoGP and how Il Dottore was a reason for the growth of the category: ‘The MotoGP has changed over time, just like the characters that make it up. Valentino was a kind of popular effect, similar to [Italian compatriot] Alberto Tomba in skiing and Jannik Sinner in tennis. Rossi gave a boost to the system’.
However, as the saying goes “nothing lasts forever”, nowadays the scenario is different, but there is still a lot of excitement: ‘Today, the #46 effect has faded, but the audience remains high’.
Rossi remains a very strong personality in the world of MotoGP and follows the championship closely, making sure to be present in the paddock with his team – Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team – whenever possible.
