Valentino Rossi (born 16 February 1979) is an Italian racing driver, former professional motorcycle racer and nine-time Grand Prix motorcycle world champion. Nicknamed "The Doctor", Rossi is widely regarded as one of the greatest motorcycle racers of all time. He is also the only road racer to have competed in 400 or more Grands Prix. Of Rossi's nine Grand Prix world titles, seven were in the premier class 500cc/MotoGP. With 89 wins and 199 podiums, he holds the record for most wins and podiums in the premier class. He won world championships in the premier class with both Honda and Yamaha. He rode with the number 46 throughout his career. 

After moving up to the premier class in 2000, Rossi won the last 500cc World Championship (making him the last satellite rider to win the top class title until Jorge Martín in 2024 and the 8 Hours of Suzuka with Honda in 2001). He also won the MotoGP World Championship with factory team Repsol Honda in 2002 and 2003, and continued his streak of consecutive championships by winning the 2004 and 2005 titles after leaving Honda to join Yamaha. He lost the 2006 title in a last-lap crash at Valencia. He eventually finished third overall in 2007 before reclaiming the title in 2008 and defending it in 2009. After a 2010 season marked by a broken leg and no title defence, he left Yamaha to join the factory Ducati team, replacing Casey Stoner for the 2011 and 2012 seasons, completing two winless seasons with the Italian brand.