Rossi has not missed a grand prix since making his debut in the 125cc class at the Shah Alam circuit in Malaysia in 1996.

A selection of the seven-time world champion's numerous achievements and career milestones since are listed below:


GP 1 1996/Shah Alam/125cc/Aprilia/6th Valentino Rossi finishes sixth on his grand prix debut at the age of 17 years and 44 days.

GP 10 1996/A1-Ring/125cc/Aprilia/3rd Finishes on the podium for the first time, in a race in which fellow Italian Ivan Goi became the youngest ever grand prix winner at that time.

GP 11 1996/Brno/125cc/Aprilia/1st Rossi qualifies on pole for the first time and wins his first GP to make him the third youngest GP winner at that time after Ivan Goi and Loris Capirossi.

GP 16 1997/Shah Alam/125cc/Aprilia/1st Wins the opening race of the 1997 season to lead the championship standings for the first time

GP 27 1997/Brno/125cc/Aprilia/3rd Finishes third to clinch his first world title and to become the second youngest ever champion at that time after Loris Capirossi.

GP 29 1997/Sentul/125cc/Aprilia/1st Becomes the only rider ever to win eleven races in the 125cc class in a single season.

GP 31 1998/Suzuka/250cc/Aprilia/DNF Made his debut in the 250cc class at the Japanese Grand Prix but retired with mechanical problems.

GP 33 1998/Jerez/250cc/Aprilia/2nd First podium finish in the 250cc class.

GP 37 1998/Assen/250cc/Aprilia/1st Takes first victory on a 250cc machine to become the third youngest ever winner in the class at that time after Alan Carter and Johnny Cecotto.

GP 44 1998/Buenos Aires/250cc/Aprilia/1st Wins for the fifth time in 1998 to take the runner up spot in the final championship standings in his debut year in the 250cc class.