Norris wants to race together with MotoGP legend Rossi

Nine-time world champion Rossi will retire from MotoGP following this weekend’s Valencia Grand Prix, bringing to an end an incredible 26-year career in motorcycle racing. 

F1 driver Norris is a huge Rossi fan and previously had the chance to meet the Italian rider in 2019. The 21-year-old wore a special tribute helmet to Rossi at the 2019 Italian Grand Prix. 

The pair have remained in touch since and speaking ahead of this weekend’s Sao Paulo Grand Prix in Brazil, Norris revealed he had exchanged text messages with Rossi ahead of his impending retirement. 

SEE ALSO: Hamilton and Norris "sad" to see MotoGP legend Rossi retiring 

“It was just a follow-up from a message that I sent him before this final weekend,” Norris said. “A little heartfelt message saying I was going to miss him in MotoGP and congratulations for everything that he has achieved.

“We talk every now and then,” Norris added. "We still want to try to do some together, some sort of driving. He does a few GTs and stuff, and he does Abu Dhabi 12 hours and the Dubai 12 hours. 

“It’s not just motorbikes that he likes, he loves car racing as well. If he can spend some time to come to an F1 race, that is the plan for something that we want to do together. And hopefully that can be done.”

At Silverstone with the legend @ValeYellow46 #BritishGP pic.twitter.com/vyx8aXhSak

— Lando Norris (@LandoNorris) August 25, 2019

Rossi, who completed several F1 tests for Ferrari in the mid-2000s, has made no secret of his desire to continue racing in cars following his retirement from MotoGP. 

The 42-year-old has taken part in a number of GT3 events in recent years, including taking a class win and third overall at the Gulf 12 Hours in Abu Dhabi in 2019. 

Asked if he is interested in arranging something with Rossi soon, Norris replied: “I didn’t say when, probably not quite soon. 

“I do not know how many more years he wants to keep competing. He is a competitive guy so I’m sure he will be around racing and motorbikes and cars for a while. 

“Since we got to know each other we have always wanted to do something together. Even if it is online or something. To do something a bit more because we still have not done a helmet swap, which we were going to do. 

“There is unfinished business of stuff we want to do together between Valentino VR46 and me. Hopefully there are some cool things we can still look forward to.”