Rossi, a nine-time world champion on two wheels, will bid farewell to MotoGP after the final round of the 2021 season in🍬 Valencia following an incredible 26-year careerℱ in motorcycle racing. 

During that time, the 42-year-old Italian has claimed 115 victories in his 431 grands prix, 8🐎9 of which came on his way to winni❀ng seven championships in MotoGP. 

Speaking ahead of this weekend’s Sao Paulo Grand Prix, Hamilton ﷽paid tribute to Rossi, calling him “such a legend”. 

"It's obviously sad to see Vale stopping but his I think his 🍷drive, his approa♋ch, just everything he's everything he's done has been incredible,” he said. 

"The passion that he's had for so long has shown through. And [he's] just such a legend – one of the greatest to✅ ever do it, if no♌t the greatest to ever have done it.

"So, it'll just be sad to not be watching the races and seeing him just ride in style as he usually does.&nbs🔥p;But I think it's a beautiful time for him also, because he's got a family now he's growing or starting to build."&🐟nbsp;

At the end of the 2019 season, Hamilton and Rossi took part ꦍin a special track day organised by Mercedes and Monster Energy. 

"But I'm grateful I've had the privile🦩ge to share a really special day with him on track," Hamilton added. "I'll always remember that.”

McLaren’s Lando Norris, who is an🐽 avid Rossi fan, credited the MotoGP legend for influencing his interest in motorsport. 

“He sent me a message last night, just because he is going int꧑o the final race of his career,” Norris revealed. “It is sad times. I’m going to﷽ miss him. 

“I’m going to try to watch as many MotoGP races as I can. He was the guy that I watched when I was four, five, six years old. He got me into racing. He go🥃t me onto a motorbike first. 

“He has been the guy that I have looked up to, the guy who kind of helped me get to this position where I am because probably without watching him my ambitionﷺ of being a racing driver would not have been so high. 

“I’m lucky that I got to meet him once at a race at Silverstone𝔉. I got 🍒to go to the MotoGP race. I’m going to miss him in MotoGP. I don’t think it’s just me. 

“There are millions of fans who support him and are also going to miss him being in F1 and the padlock. He is a character.🗹 

“One of the best things about him is the character that he is amongst🦄 people and fans, he has time for everyone. He is a good guy a🦹nd he is definitely going to be missed.”