Thread: Rossi tests Ferrari F1 again

Suderia Ferrari tested Valentino Rossi in a 2008 F1 car as a gift to the Moto GP star for winning his 9th world championship.

Montmelo, 20 January 2010 -- The first day of testing at the Catalan circuit of Montmelo just ended for Valentino Rossi behind the wheel of a F2008. The car, used by Ferrari to win the Constructors' Title, can now be used after the end of a two-year embargo -- due to new technology protection -- and is now part of the atelier managed by Maranello's F1 Clienti department, set up for the nine-times MotoGP world champion for his sixth time behind the wheel of a Ferrari Formula 1 single-seater.

Rossi drove more than 300 kilometres today, or 68 laps, expressing satisfaction after a briefing with the technicians: "I'm happy. It was a good test, although it was wet in the morning and without grip I had some problems. Fortunately the dried off in the afternoon, I could use the slicks and improve my lap times." The fastest lap today was driven in 1.25.200.

Tomorrow Rossi will go on the track again for the second day of the test sessions.

### Rossi asks Ferrari for another F1 test ###

Rossi considered as sub for Massa/Badoer

Rossi thrilled with his F1 test pace


Valentino Rossi was ecstatic after lapping close to recent Formula 1 pace at the end of his two-day Ferrari test at Catalunya.

The MotoGP champion set a time of 1m21.900s during a qualifying simulation late this afternoon. Although direct comparisons are impossible as Rossi was using a 2008 Ferrari chassis fitted with GP2 specification slick tyres, Jenson Button's pole time at the venue last year was a 1m20.527s, while Kimi Raikkonen took the top spot on the 2008 grid with a 1m21.813s.

"We kept the last three quarters of an hour to try a 'time attack' with little petrol and fresh tyres," said Rossi. "I would have given anything for such a lap time."

He added that he found the Barcelona track more enjoyable than Mugello, the venue for his last F1 test in November 2008.

"It's more fun here, because it's a little bit easier," said Rossi. "It's more effort in Mugello, but this track here is really wonderful, with motorbikes and cars, although I have to say that Turn 10 is a little tight and you're braking much later."

Ferrari's Luca Baldisserri said Rossi had made great strides during the test, which had been disrupted by poor weather.

"We tried different set-ups and he improved a lot," said Baldisserri. "This means that the driver learns quickly and has room for improvement."

Rossi will now hand the F2008 over to Felipe Massa, who will test tomorrow to continue his preparation for returning to F1 after last year's head injury.

It is wild that he was able to get that close to Raikkonnen's time.

i would kill to have that day to myself holy shit

Originally Posted by esthete

It is wild that he was able to get that close to Raikkonnen's time.

As the article stated, its really hard to make direct comparisons. Different day, tires, conditions etc... Having said that, there is no doubt in my mind that V. Rossi would do well in F1. How well? who knows. Ferrari is interested enough to keep proposing to the FIA to allow teams to be able to enter 3 cars. Had the FIA agreed, they would have kept Schumacher on the roster and entered a 3rd car for him. Now Ferrari is pushing to be allowed a 3rd entry again. B. Eccelstone has his doubts about several of the new teams making the grid on time, and is getting interested in the 3rd entry proposal. I doubt it will really happen, but Ferrari would love to enter Rossi in a 3rd car.

Originally Posted by MMR

i would kill to have that day to myself holy shit

Bro, if I was lucky enough to win it big in the lottery, I would at least get you a 2 day test in the latest car F1 Clienti has in their inventory!

That helmet is so ill!!!

what a beast