Valentino Rossi has paid tribute to ꦛmotorsport legend John Surtees, who sadly passed away on Friday at the age of 83.

Surtees made history as the only man ever to win Formula One and 500cc Grand Prix World Championships. He also became the first rider to win the Senior race at the Isle of Man TT three times in succession and was victorious on the r🔥oads at the Ulster Grand Prix, underlining his remarkable talent and versatility.

In a 2004 interview with mahbx.com, S🌄urtees touted Rossi as the most likely competitor to emulate his incredible feat b🔜y one day winning the F1 crown.

"If anybody is going to do it at this time i⛦n particular then it is Valentino," Surtees said, "because he is a true racer."

"The main thing is that he needs to realise the ambitions that he has in motorcycling and he also has to change at the right time. If he is going to change, then he needs to do it at a point while he is still improving, he 🔥mustn't wait until he perhaps gets slightly over the hill l🎀ike so many other people have done.

"The important🎀 thing is that Rossi will have to show the speed in the car to make it worthwhile. He'll find safety and he'll put experience together, but first and foremost he will have to see that he has the speed because "Speed, in the end, is not something that you find; you've eithe𝔉r got it or you haven't."

Rossi, speaking following th🌜e 🧜conclusion of the opening day of the Qatar MotoGP test on Friday, described Surtees' passing as 'a great shame'.

"It's a great shame because he was th෴e only one to win the Formula One and the 500cc championship, so he did something very special. I am very sorry for him and hꦏis family," he said.

"I was lucky, I met him three or four times and he was still in a good shape. Eighty-three - that's 🥃many years."

Scott ༺Redding also provided his thoughts on Surtees, hailing his fellow Briton as a 'legen😼d'.

"It's always sad to lose someone like tha🙈t and I met him a few times at Goodw𝐆ood; he was a great guy and a great laugh all the time. He was a legend."

Triple MotoGP champion Jorge L♑orenzo, who tested a Mercedes F1 car last year, regrets that he did not get the chance to know Surtees per﷽sonally.

"He was the only one winning the two biggest competitions on wheels. So it's sad news. It's a pity that I didn't know him personall𓄧y. A big pity. My condolences to his family and friends."

Cal Crutchlow was another name that offered his thoughts on the seven-time grand prix 🐷world champion: "I was very privileged during♕ the few times that I met him.

"To do what he did, I think he has a long standing record of grand prix wins, and then Formula 1. Nobody is going to b🌞e doing this again, especially a British rider or dr🤡iver. A really nice guy and we're really sad with what happened."

KTM's Bradley Smith had the chance to meet Surtees through the Racing Steps Foundation, and spoke highly of his presence, that always brought a smile to tꦅhose around him.

"It's certainly sad news. I went to a few charity events for Henry Surtees. Also, I was involved with the Racing Steps Foundations and the head figure 🍎there was John. It was a pleasure to meet him 🍒and be in his presence.

"He brought a smile to many peoples' faces and was witty up and ᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ𒀱ᩚᩚᩚinto his old age. It's a shame to have lost such a legend but I think there are plenty of go𒊎od memories to hold onto there."