Valentino Rossi s🧔till carries the “pain” of losing his fܫriend Marco Simoncelli, it has been claimed.

The talented MotoGP rider nicknamed Sic lost his life in a tragic accideꦅnt at the Sepang circuit in 2011.

Rossi, who was involved in the accident, later appeared at Simoncelli’s funeral which was watched on television in Italy. The motorsport came together to pay their rꦚespect and he hasn’t been forgotten.

“After what happened, I stayed at the home of Paolo Sim♛🐼oncelli and his family, in Coriano, for about two months," veteran agent Carlo Pernat told .

"It🐻 was a way to gain strength together, as Marco would have wanted.

I have never hi🐟dden that at that time I even thought about quitting racing.”

Pernat revealed about Rossi in the aftermath of Simoncelli’s death: "In those twoไ months h♎e didn't show up and he didn't make himself heard.

“Paolo was a little disappointed considering the relationship t꧃hat Vale had with Marco.

“Only later did I understand the reasoꩲn for that attitude: Valentino blamed himself because the last wheel that passed on Marco's body in that curseᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ𒀱ᩚᩚᩚd accident was that of his Ducati.

“He thought it was his fault."

Eventually, Rossi showed up at Simoncelli’s father home🐈 for an emotional reunion.

"When he saw Paolo, hugg𒅌ed him and said '﷽sorry, it was me',” Pernat said.

“He lived that period very badly and I think he 🐭is still carrying it with him.

“That pain remained in his head, Marc༒o was his best friend."

Valentino Rossi set up academy to honour Marco Simoncelli

Rossi went on to become MotoGP’ꦍs greatest star with nine world𝔍 championships.

He set up the VR46 Academy in h🍒onour of his friend Simoncelli, designed to bring through 🌺Italian talent.

Fran🦹cesco Bagnaia became the first graduate to win the MotoGP title in 2022.

But the mission started with Simoncelli.

"Marco was a winner and I can guarantee that the friendship ꧙with𓆏 Valentino began to crack a bit when he put him behind in some races,” Pernat remembered.

“After all, there is nothing worse than a friend who beats you, eve💮n if they were really very good friends.”

Pernat said a🀅bout the foundation in Simoncelli’s name: "It grosses almost 2 million euros a year and it is no coincidence, because Marco was truly loved.

“He was a friend to everyone. It🍌 was impossible not to get along with him."