Doc 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 a 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.
Rossi rode the M1 for the first time 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 to be one of the weekend’s highlights.
Rossi led a group of Monster Energy-backed competitors during the demonstration, which included fellow riders and drivers including Isle of Man TT stars Michael Dunlop and John McGuinness, rally legend Petter Solberg and drift competitor Steve ‘Bagsy’ Biagioni.
The Italian’s Goodwood weekend began on Friday when he appeared on the balcony of Goodwood House with his close friend and reigning Formula 1 world champion Lando Norris.
Norris had previously driven a 1996 Liberty Walk Nissan S13 up the hill before parking alongside Rossi’s YZR-M1. After this the couple came in front of the crowd gathered below Goodwood House.
Saturday’s appearance brought Rossi back to Yamaha, with whom he contested his final 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 team for his last season in 2021.
Rossi’s Yamaha association remains one of the most important partnerships in the history of motorcycle Grand Prix.
After joining Yamaha from Honda in 2004, Rossi won the MotoGP World Championship in his first season on the YZR-M1. He achieved four premier-class titles with the Japanese manufacturer in 2004, 2005, 2008 and 2009.
Rossi is now an official brand ambassador for Yamaha and continues to race professionally on four wheels, but said returning to the M1 had been an emotional experience.
valentino rossi
“I’m very happy and proud to be back at Goodwood. It’s been a little over ten years since I was last here.
“It’s always a special event and a very unique weekend. It’s quite impressive how big this event has grown, so it’s great to be here for all the fans.
“My M1 rides are always great, so it’s great to be riding again.
“Yamaha has been a big part of my life, so it’s always emotional when we meet again, and doing so with my 2020 YZR-M1 makes the occasion even more meaningful.”
The Goodwood Festival of Speed brings together historic competition machinery and current racing vehicles each year for display on a 1.86 kilometer hill climb course through the grounds of Goodwood House.
Rossi had previously appeared at the festival shortly after taking victory at the Dutch TT in Assen in 2015 during his unsuccessful bid for a tenth Grand Prix World Championship.
