Today saw the opening of the brand new Silverstone Wing complex at the Northampton circuit, with a whole host of Formula One legends and many big names from the Motorcycle racing fraternity, including multiple champion Valentino Rossi.
The Silverstone Wing is the name of the circuit’s enormous new facility which comprises of new spacious garages, media center, offices, and an auditorium, and it will be the venue for the seventh round of the MotoGP world championship on June 12th.
Rossi missed out the 2010 round, as he was out due to his broken leg, so he used the opportunity to see what the new track layout has in store for June. After a 1198 superbike had to be rested due to an electronics problem, Valentino took to the track on a 1198 road bike, with number plate and mirrors in tow.
After completing around 30 laps, the Italian was impressed, “I really had fun,” said Valentino before flying back to Italy. “After a few laps with the 1198 Superbike, we had a problem with the electronics and decided to use the 1198 street bike that Ducati UK rushed to us. I really liked riding that bike here.”
Regarding the track, Rossi said, “The track is nice, difficult and very technical. It makes you work hard because there are very fast sections where having the right trajectory is important, and others that are very narrow where you must have good grip under acceleration. The first turn is completely blind, and you must hold a very precise line, and in general the entire first section is really great, definitely the part I like most.”
He continued, “In short, I enjoyed it, especially because there were many drivers and riders who have great histories in motor sports, like John Surtees, who told me that he raced here in the '50s.”
“I wasn't following racing then,” joked the Italian, “but he was great.”
