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Valentino Rossi and Lewis Hamilton Complete MotoGP – F1 Swap

  • Valentino Rossi and Lewis Hamilton completed the long-awaited MotoGP and F1 swap.

  • Rossi drove Hamilton’s Mercedes F1 car, while the latter rode Rossi’s Yamaha YZR-M1.

  • Both spun their respective vehicle.

Valentino Rossi and Lewis Hamilton completed the long-awaited MotoGP and F1 swap at the Valencia Circuit in Spain.

Rossi, who is the 9-time world champion on two wheels, swapped his Yamaha YZR-M1 for the PETRONAS Mercedes F1 car. On the other hand, Hamilton is the 6-time world champion on four wheels; swapped over to Rossi’s bike.

Photo credit SkySports.com

“Honestly this has been the best year and this has just topped off,” said Hamilton who captured his sixth F1 drivers’ championship this year.

The question on everyone’s mind was how he felt on the bike. “The bike is so hard to ride. I had one little spin with it but otherwise brought it back in one piece. It was just step by step learning but it’s a very steep learning curve,” explained Hamilton.

Hamilton had tested the PATA Yamaha YZF-R1 WorldSBK superbike previously.

Photo credit SkySports.com

It wasn’t the first time Rossi drove an F1 car, as he did so in a Ferrari in 2006. He so impressed Michael Schumacher that he was offered to be a driver.

As such, he seemed to have an easier time in the car, although he also spun the car.

In the end, Rossi was only 1.5 seconds off Hamilton’s record at the track, while the latter was 4 seconds off Rossi’s lap.

Source and photos: SkySports.com

Wahid's lust for motorcycles was spurred on by his late-Dad's love for his Lambretta on which he courted, married his mother, and took baby Wahid riding on it. He has since worked in the motorcycle and automotive industry for many years, before taking up riding courses and testing many, many motorcycles since becoming a motojournalist. Wahid likes to see things differently. What can you say about a guy who sees a road safety message in AC/DC's "Highway to Hell."

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