The Doctor rides again as Rossi reunites with Yamaha M1
Nine-time Grand Prix World Champion Valentino Rossi was reunited with one of his former Yamaha MotoGP machines at the 2026 Goodwood Festival of Speed.
Making his first appearance at the British event in more than ten years, Rossi rode the 2020 Monster Energy Yamaha YZR-M1 during Saturday’s Hill Climb demonstration at the Goodwood Estate in West Sussex.
It marked Rossi’s first time aboard the M1 since retiring from MotoGP competition at the conclusion of the 2021 season.
The distinctive sound of the Yamaha MotoGP prototype — wearing its black Monster Energy livery and Rossi’s fluorescent yellow number 46 — proved one of the weekend’s major attractions.
Rossi headed a group of Monster Energy-supported competitors during the demonstration, with fellow riders and drivers including Isle of Man TT stars Michael Dunlop and John McGuinness, rally legend Petter Solberg and drift competitor Steve ‘Baggsy’ Biagioni.
The Italian’s Goodwood weekend began on Friday when he appeared on the balcony of Goodwood House alongside close friend and reigning Formula 1 World Champion Lando Norris.
Norris had earlier driven a 1996 Liberty Walk Nissan S13 up the Hill before parking alongside Rossi’s YZR-M1. The pair then appeared before the crowd gathered below Goodwood House.
Saturday’s appearance placed Rossi back aboard the Yamaha with which he contested his penultimate MotoGP season.
The 2020 campaign was Rossi’s final year with the factory Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Team before he moved to the satellite Petronas Yamaha SRT squad for his last season in 2021.
Rossi’s Yamaha association remains one of the most significant partnerships in motorcycle Grand Prix history.
After joining Yamaha from Honda in 2004, Rossi won the MotoGP World Championship in his first season aboard the YZR-M1. He went on to secure four premier-class titles with the Japanese manufacturer in 2004, 2005, 2008 and 2009.
Rossi is now an official Yamaha Brand Ambassador and continues to race professionally on four wheels, but said returning to the M1 remained an emotional experience.
Valentino Rossi
“I am very happy and proud to be back at Goodwood. It is a little more than ten years since the last time I was here.
“It is always a special event and a very unique weekend. It is quite impressive how big the event has become, so it’s great to be here for all the fans.
“Riding my M1 is always fantastic, so it’s great to be back riding again.
“Yamaha has been a huge part of my life, so it is always emotional when we reunite, and to do it with my 2020 YZR-M1 makes the occasion even more meaningful.”
The Goodwood Festival of Speed annually brings together historic competition machinery and current racing vehicles for demonstrations on the 1.86-kilometre Hill Climb course through the grounds of Goodwood House.
Rossi previously appeared at the Festival in 2015, shortly after securing victory in the Dutch TT at Assen during his ultimately unsuccessful bid for a tenth Grand Prix World Championship.
