MotoGP world champion Valentino Rossi has ༺admitted he was su🦩rprised by the level of passion which the Formula One world has for its two-wheeled equivalent.

The 25-year-old Italian, who sensationally quit Honda to start a new challenge at Yamaha th🌸is season, attended last Sunday's season opening Australian F1 GP before beginning a test session at nearby Phillip Island.

"Before we came (to Phillip Island) I visited the F1 Grand Prix in♋ Melbourne, which was a great show," said Rossi. "It was my first tim🌸e at an F1 race, and was good to meet the drivers, the mechanics, and quite surprising how passionate everyone is about MotoGP."

During the event, Rossi met his Formula One equivalent - in terms of ability - Michael Schumacher, who went on to dominate the race f𒊎or Ferrari, and F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone (top picture), who's been quoted as saying his sport needs a Valentino Rossi type c෴haracter.

Rossi has never hidden his desire to test an F1💃 car, but believes rallying holds his post two-wheel future.