The 2021 YZR-M1 serves as the historic bookend to Valentino Rossi’s 26-year career. Though clad in the teal and black of the satellite Petronas SRT team, this was a full-factory specification machine. It featured a 1000cc inline-4 crossplane engine pushing over 240 HP, technically identical to the bike Fabio Quartararo rode to the World Championship that same year.
Despite its pedigree, the bike was a technical mismatch for the 42-year-old legend. Rossi battled chronic rear grip issues all season, unable to generate traction on corner exits. The 2021 chassis design favored aggressive corner speed but punished Rossi’s style with excessive tire spin, leaving him unable to maximize the M1's drive against younger rivals.
The season became a victory lap rather than a title fight, culminating in a respectable 10th place finish at his Valencia farewell. While statistically his toughest season, this specific M1 remains iconic as the vessel for his "Last Dance," closing the chapter on the most influential partnership in modern MotoGP history.
To reduce postage costs, product will be removed from its large advertising backing card.
*image(s) for illustration purposes. Actual product is 1:18 scale diecast model.
