Latest News

Rossi and Honda part with a smile and embrace
In a packed pressroom at Valencia after the final race of the 2003 season it was officially announced that World Champion, Valentino Rossi and Honda were not renewing any contract for the 2004 season. Rossi appeared alongside the Repsol Honda Teams Sporting Manager, Carlo Fiorani and Team Manager Shoji Tachikawa. He explained to the worlds press that he has loved his time at Honda but after winning three consecutive World Championships feels that the time is right to move onto a new challenge. Fiorani thanked Rossi on behalf of all of Honda and finished up presenting the 24-year-old Italian with a painting signed by all his friends and colleagues at the Repsol Honda Team.Valentino Rossi: I have to say thank you very much to Honda. It is true. Next year we dont race together. For sure it has been a fantastic period for me to work together for four years. Its been unforgettable. Weve won 50% of the races when we have been together. The story is only four years but for me it seems much longer. Together we start in 2000 with a new challenge with the 500. There were many problems to start with. Straightaway we were working with HRC and it as amazing. To work with HRC for a rider is like a dream. If you are able to give the right information to the engineers they are able to change.So, we dont race together next year. Im still a Honda rider till December 31st. I try a new challenge. Maybe to make this choice at this point is a little mad. We see next year if it is possible or not. For sure all the fans will be happy, as it will make a great show!. Unforgettable our time together. The HRC engineers, the friends at Honda Italy. Thank you all.Carlo Fiorani, Repsol Honda Team Sporting Manager: We at Honda have done everything in our power to secure Valentinos services for next year. In the end we understand that it is not about money, sponsor obligations or any of the standard issues that are negotiated over in more general contract discussions. The area we have had difficulty in, is one of providing Valentino with a new challenge and it is an area we at Honda totally understand. This is totally a Valentino choice. Throughout his career Valentino has moved onto a new challenge every season and in the end, it is this that Valentino seeks. In many ways his driving force is reflected in the spirit of this great company. Soichiro Honda who founded the business over 50 years ago understood and rejoiced in this spirit. So, on the evening of the final Grand Prix of 2003, and Valentinos 64th with Honda, we announce officially today that Honda and Valentino Rossi will not be renewing any contract for the 2004 season.We are obviously very sad on the one hand to see Valentino go but feel that we as a manufacturer and Valentino as a rider part company as friends with the best memories of our time together. We now have to look forward to next season when we will gather a team of riders capable of retaining the World Championship for Honda. Id like to publicly thank Valentino for all the success and fun weve had over the last four years. The Honda/Rossi partnership has been an incredible one. Together we have won three World Championships, three Manufacturers Titles and 33 races in four very special years.