Valentino Rossi had secret Ferrari F1 trial and almost ditched Moto GP

Formula 1: Hamilton and Verstappen crash at 190mph

We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info

Moto GP legend Valentino Rossi has suggested he was close to making a sensational switch to Formula 1 to drive for Ferrari. Last year, nine-time world champion Rossi retired after racing for 26 years.

The iconic Italian secured 115 victories and 235 podiums across an illustrious career – but he almost donned the famous Maranello red of Ferrari. 

“That was a very big moment of my life,” Rossi told ‘In Depth With Graham Bensinger’.

“Stefano Domenicali called me and said why don’t you try our car, we have a track in Fiorano – it is interesting, fast and has a hairpin.

“I said okay and we organised it.

JUST IN: F1 chief has new ‘urgent matter’ as Hamilton future hangs in balance

“We arrived in secret the day before because we tried to keep it secret but it wasn’t at the end.”

Rossi’s private trial with Ferrari was followed by another in Valencia, with the 42-year-old testing his might against 14 other F1 drivers.

It didn’t go to plan at the start, with Rossi losing control of the car and spinning onto the gravel while racing around the damp track.

However, his second day was far more successful.

DON’T MISS
Lewis Hamilton example noted by Toto Wolff on George Russell dilemma
George Russell ‘relishing’ Lewis Hamilton title battle at Mercedes
Mercedes slammed for Valtteri Bottas treatment before Alfa Romeo move

The Italian finished ninth overall, with his fastest lap time just seven-tenths slower than F1 icon Michael Schumacher’s greatest time around the circuit.

Rossi believes he was ‘very close’ to joining F1 – and his mother was even interested in his switch.

“In 2006 I did a test, a real test with the real drivers in Valencia,” added Rossi. 

“It was a good test, I was quite fast.

“But I remember when I came back home I decided to stay in MotoGP.

“For F1, I had a plan, but it was not straight with Ferrari.

“It was start with a small team, try to make some experience, and after if I am fast enough I’d arrive to Ferrari. But I had a lot of question marks.

“I also had a lot of pressure from my side. ‘Go with the car’, ‘go with Ferrari’ because it’s something big.

“Everybody when I tried to explain and try to ask for help for my decision, they say to me ‘no, no, you have to go to F1’. Also, my mother, for example.

“I think I have to decide myself, and in my heart, I think I have to stay with MotoGP.”

The 23-race 2022 campaign begins on 18-20 March, with winter testing for the all-new generation of cars underway from 23 February.

Source: Read Full Article