LUCA MARINI SAYS HE LEARNED FROM VALENTINO ROSSI’S LIFE BEHIND THE SCENES

Luca Marini is returning to Misano with a story that is inseparable from Valentino Rossi—both personally and professionally. Speaking ahead of his home race, the 29-year-old reflected on how growing up alongside his half-brother shaped his path into MotoGP, and how the lessons he learned behind the scenes helped him develop as a rider.

Marini was born in Urbino on 10 August 1997, when Rossi’s rise was already underway. Three weeks later, Rossi became the 125cc world champion in Brno at just 18 years old—his first of nine MotoGP-era titles. Marini grew up during the period when Rossi transformed from a promising Italian youngster into one of the sport’s biggest stars. As a child, Marini regularly accompanied Rossi to circuits, celebrating victories and watching from a perspective that, as he put it, was “hidden” from most people.

That early exposure went beyond the trophies. Marini said he also witnessed what happened away from the spotlight, and that it left a lasting impression. “When I was younger, I followed my brother to many places and many countries around the world. I celebrated his successes. We all know what Vale achieved,” Marini recalled. He added: “I also saw what was happening behind the scenes. And that inspired me a lot and gave me a great feeling. I enjoyed every moment and this special connection with Vale. I tried to learn from him.”

The connection helped Marini understand the scale of Rossi’s transformation as well. Rossi went from 125cc champion to a multi-class contender and eventually a MotoGP legend, collecting nine world titles and 115 Grand Prix wins before retiring at the end of 2021. By then, Marini had already made his own entry into MotoGP.

Marini’s own career, however, was not built on shortcuts. He had to earn his place through the junior categories. In 2013, he finished fourth in the Italian Moto3 Championship with six podiums. That same year, he made his MotoGP debut in Misano via a wildcard, but the outing ended with a crash in the first corner.

After a year in the Spanish Moto3 Championship, Marini moved to Moto2 in 2015. In 2016, he completed his first full Moto2 world championship season with Forward Racing. The major step came in 2018 when he joined the Sky Racing Team VR46—his half-brother’s team. On the Sachsenring he took his first Moto2 podium, and in Sepang he recorded his first Grand Prix win.

Marini added two more Moto2 victories in 2019. In 2020, he fought for the Moto2 world title, winning at Jerez, Misano and Barcelona, but ultimately finished second—nine points behind Enea Bastianini. In 2021, he moved up to MotoGP, the class that Rossi had defined for years.

Despite the famous number 46 connection, Marini insisted it was not the decisive pressure factor some might assume. “I wouldn’t say that I have more pressure,” he said. “Every MotoGP rider is under pressure. It’s difficult for us to ride at this level. I learned early how to deal with it.”

In MotoGP, Marini began on Ducati for his first three seasons. After his debut year with Sky VR46 Avintia, he moved in 2022 into the newly structured VR46 MotoGP team. His most successful MotoGP season to date came in 2023. At the Grand Prix of The Americas in Austin, he finished second for his first MotoGP podium. He also stood on the podium in the sprint races in Argentina, Thailand and Qatar, and ended the season eighth in the championship.

After that, Marini made a significant break from the VR46 environment. From 2024, he rides for Honda as part of the manufacturer’s rebuilding effort. His time with HRC is set to end after the current season, with Marini scheduled to switch to Tech3 and KTM for the 2027 move into the new 850cc era.

Even with the team changes, Marini said MotoGP remains central to his life. “MotoGP is a big part of my life,” he emphasized. He is still captivated by the raw speed. “We reach incredible top speeds. Even if you make yourself small behind the fairing, you can feel that you’re really going fast. In the moment you brake and come out of the fairing, the wind pushes extremely hard and you have to hold on properly.” He concluded: “That’s a great feeling. I love it!”

This weekend, Marini returns to Misano—where his MotoGP debut came in 2013, where he won three Moto2 races on the way to second place in 2020, and where the Rossi family home is located just a few kilometres away.