Valentino Rossi offers Lewis Hamilton a test ride

We are the champions: Lewis Hamilton and Valentino Rossi

6-time world champion and MotoGP racing legend Valentino Rossi said he was happy to ‘give Hamilton a go’ on his Movistar Yamaha MotoGP bike. The two, who have each won multiple champions in their respective sports, met at the Italian Grand Prix at Monza last year, a race that Hamilton won.

Hamilton, who currently leads the Formula 1 drivers’ championship standings, told the Italian that he would “love to come and ride at my ranch,” recounted Rossi. Hamilton told the rider he had some experience, as he currently drives a 450cc bike himself.

The two teams – Movistar Yamaha MotoGP and Mercedes AMG Petronas – are not only arguably two of the most iconic teams in motorsport, but also share a sponsor – Monster Energy – which means that this future interaction may not be an impossibility at all.

The Briton has previously spoken about his love for bikes, even going so far as to mention they were his first choice as a youngster. Rossi has also driven Formula cars, intending at some point during the late 90s – early 2000s to switch over to the sport. Sadly, but perhaps not so much so, nothing came of this. He remains one of MotoGP’s biggest attractions.

Rossi is currently top of the riders’ standings in MotoGP, while Hamilton is top in Formula One. Both are also directly challenged in the championships by their respective teammates, Jorge Lorenzo and Nico Rosberg, who are both close behind.

The 36-year-old is currently competing in the Indianapolis MotoGP, for which qualifying has just concluded. Rossi, who is known for being a weak qualifier, will begin today’s race in 8^th. He has been on the podium every race of this season, of which three were wins.

Mercedes champion Hamilton has had 9 podium spots and 5 wins, finishing with high points every race. He is currently on summer break, and will return to racing at the end of August, at the Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps.