http://www.speedtv.com/articles/auto/formulaone/18660/
Valentino Rossi’s flirting with four-wheel racing continued this week, when the four-time MotoGP champion - who’s en route to a fifth crown, having won eight of this year’s 10 races - completed a two-day test session with Ferrari.
Aboard last year’s F2004, Rossi shared the Fiorano circuit in Italy with one of the Scuderia’s regular testers, Marc Gene. Although official laptimes were not disclosed, Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport reported that Rossi’s best laps fell some three seconds short of Michael Schumacher’s F2004 record at the circuit.
"I wanted to get a better understanding of a Formula 1 car and I would like to thank Ferrari for giving me the opportunity to do so," said Rossi. "The two days were intensive and interesting. I completed a lot of mileage and I began to understand the handling of the car, working with the engineers and Marc Gene.
“[Now] I’ll go back to the two wheels where there is still a long way to go to the end of the season."
For those who do not believe in mere coincidences, however, Rossi’s “interesting� days - observed from up close by Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo and team boss Jean Todt - could be the first indication of who's the Scuderia’s favorite man to replace Michael Schumacher from 2007 onwards.
Rossi announced this week that he’s renewed his MotoGP contract with Yamaha through the end of the ‘06 season - the same timeframe of Schuey’s current Ferrari deal.
Meanwhile at Monza, Luca Badoer continued development work on the F2005, completing 86 laps with a best time of 1:23.328. The scarlet team will carry on working tomorrow again with Badoer behind the wheel.
Valentino Rossi’s flirting with four-wheel racing continued this week, when the four-time MotoGP champion - who’s en route to a fifth crown, having won eight of this year’s 10 races - completed a two-day test session with Ferrari.
Aboard last year’s F2004, Rossi shared the Fiorano circuit in Italy with one of the Scuderia’s regular testers, Marc Gene. Although official laptimes were not disclosed, Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport reported that Rossi’s best laps fell some three seconds short of Michael Schumacher’s F2004 record at the circuit.
"I wanted to get a better understanding of a Formula 1 car and I would like to thank Ferrari for giving me the opportunity to do so," said Rossi. "The two days were intensive and interesting. I completed a lot of mileage and I began to understand the handling of the car, working with the engineers and Marc Gene.
“[Now] I’ll go back to the two wheels where there is still a long way to go to the end of the season."
For those who do not believe in mere coincidences, however, Rossi’s “interesting� days - observed from up close by Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo and team boss Jean Todt - could be the first indication of who's the Scuderia’s favorite man to replace Michael Schumacher from 2007 onwards.
Rossi announced this week that he’s renewed his MotoGP contract with Yamaha through the end of the ‘06 season - the same timeframe of Schuey’s current Ferrari deal.
Meanwhile at Monza, Luca Badoer continued development work on the F2005, completing 86 laps with a best time of 1:23.328. The scarlet team will carry on working tomorrow again with Badoer behind the wheel.
