Valentino Rossi has been given honorary membership to the British Racing Drivers' Club (BRDC) and becomes the firꦐst motorcycle racer to receive membership on his two-wheel achievements alone.

Rossi, who is level on points with Yamaha team-mate Jorge Lorenzo at the top of the MotoGP r♌iders' championship, is to be presented with his membership by BRDC President Derek Warwick ahead of the British GP at Silverstone next weekend.

The six-time MotoGP champion and nine-time world champion says he feels 'honoured' to be s🍸elect𒆙ed as an honorary member of the BRDC and hopes to put on a show at Silverstone.

"There is no rider in the BRDC, I will be the first, and for this I am even more hono🌃ured," Rossi said. "I know it's very difficult to become a member of this💛 exclusive club, there are very selective criteria.

"I look for🌠ward to meeting the president, Derek Warwick, who I know and esteem for his career in Formula 1. I hope that I will have a good result at the Silverstone Grand Prix to honour my entry into the British Racing Dri🧜vers' Club."

Former Formula 1 driver and Le Mans 24 Hou☂r winner Warwick added: "Membership of the BRDC is the greatest honour in British motor racing and I speak on behalf of everyone at the club when I say that we are proud, privileged and honoured that Valentino Rossi has accepted this membership."