Rossi: I Have What It Takes

[Senna 0]

ROSSI: I HAVE WHAT IT TAKES

ITV

Six-time world motorcycle champion Valentino Rossi believes he has what it takes to be competitive in Formula 1 after his test for Ferrari last month.

The two-wheeled Italian megastar has been linked to race seat with the team in 2007 as part of a dream line-up with Kimi Raikkonen, should Michael Schumacher retire after next season.

Rossi reckons that he impressed Ferrari with his performance and told Italian newspaper Repubblica that he would consider testing again if asked.

"I can't reveal the lap times, because Ferrari do not want to," Rossi said of his Fiorano run.

"But if you take into account how I improved, I would say the lap times were fine. So yes, I could be fast in Formula 1 as well.

"In order to understand if I can indeed be competitive [in F1], I must also run on a track more challenging than Fiorano."

"Somewhere like Mugello or Barcelona [would be suitable], because even if I'm familiar with the track, I wouldn't have an advantage; Formula One is a completely different experience altogether."

Rossi has repeatedly been linked to a switch to F1 having dominated the world of motorcycle racing for several years, but as usual the 26-year-old Italian refused to be drawn on his future.

"Ferrari invited me to come and test, and since I was on vacation, I went," he said.

"But there is nothing to speculate about for the future.

"It wasn't me who asked to come and test, they called me, but I wouldn't let such an opportunity slip me by. It's always a great feeling.

"For them it was interesting to understand if indeed I can also be fast in cars."

Rossi claimed that the two-day test at Fiorano was serious and that he was treated like any other prospective test driver would have been.

"The Ferrari engineers treated me like a real test driver, and they strapped small gadgets to gather data," he said.

"They made different changes to the car and wanted me to tell them how the car behaved every time and what was changed. Many times I guessed it right."

[JayStorm 0]

Well, I think we could well be seeing him replace Michael, although, he'll have to prove that he has what it takes first, and I don't think thast he is quite fast enough to be honest.

JS.

[bajo39 0]

Well, I think we could well be seeing him replace Michael, although, he'll have to prove that he has what it takes first, and I don't think thast he is quite fast enough to be honest.

JS.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Rossi replace Michael? I think not...

Perhaps he could partner Raikkonnen though.

[kiko01 0]

He

[nojvnof1 0]

I'm going to go out on a limb here and say Rossi will be a big success in F1. Not sure if he'll be a World Champ or anything, but I think he won't do as bad as many believe and will win a few GP's. He's only in his mid-20's and has time and age on his side. I wouldn't discard him.

[Senna 0]

He

[Shadow 0]

i'll reserve judgement till i have seen some times. too early to say anything

[Null 0]

he wasn't that good when he did a wrc round, I think he'd only be average in F1. I have a feeling that makes me not want him in F1, maybe it's because people will give him more credit than he is due, on the fact that he's 6 times motogp champion. Good publicity for Ferrari. It annoys me that he seems to reckon he can just come into F1, and due to the publicity he'd get from being who he is, will overshadow people who have put their lives into getting into F1, even if he's no good.

[Jenson_Rules 0]

indeed

[CC 0]

He has the talent of two wheels; does he have what it takes on four? I think so.

[Diesel 0]

Can't write him off yet becaue we haven't seen him in action. If he does switch over to F1 he is not going to be an instant sucess, it always takes at least one season to settle in.

I think he has the basic understanding of racing and how/what to do in certain situations. He has enough to become an average driver who brings in points and the odd podium. We will have to wait and see whether he can become anything else.

[cavallino 2]

he wasn't that good when he did a wrc round, I think he'd only be average in F1.

WRC is a completely different ball game, I would be surprised if any of the top F1 drivers did well in that either. I won't write him off yet. I am pretty sure he can easily race in a mid level team on his talent, if he can do better than that is the question.

[kiko01 0]

I'm going to go out on a limb here and say Rossi will be a big success in F1. Not sure if he'll be a World Champ or anything, but I think he won't do as bad as many believe and will win a few GP's. He's only in his mid-20's and has time and age on his side. I wouldn't discard him.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Valentino will be 29 years old in 2.007 wich seems to be quite old to begin a F1 career, besides, If Valentino goes to Ferrari his teammate would probably be KR

[kiko01 0]

I seriously doubt he

[Senna 0]

No way Senna!!!!! This is no longer the 60

[Null 0]

WRC is a completely different ball game, I would be surprised if any of the top F1 drivers did well in that either. I won't write him off yet. I am pretty sure he can easily race in a mid level team on his talent, if he can do better than that is the question.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

And F1 is completley different from motorbiking, which was my point

[Jenson_Rules 0]

I hope he comes into f1 and fails miserably, Then i will just laugh!

[Buttonfan 0]

I will too, I just dont want him coming in and making F1 boring again with Ferrari and him in the front all the time like with Schumi

[schumi13 0]

I hope he comes into f1 and fails miserably, Then i will just laugh!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I think he will although Ferrari would never snap him up for a driver.

[nojvnof1 0]

I hope he comes into F1 as I'll have another driver to follow once JV leaves. Apparently during his last test, the team made a few changes to the car and he was able to tell them exactly what changes were made. All these tests aren't for show, something is brewing and I would not be surprised in the least to see a Rossi/Raikkonen pair in 2007.

Mock him at will, when he wins an F1 race, I'll be that guy in this forum telling you all 'I told you so'.

[cavallino 2]

I'd agree with that I think he will atleasty be a top 10 driver.

[CC 0]

I hope he comes into F1 as I'll have another driver to follow once JV leaves. Apparently during his last test, the team made a few changes to the car and he was able to tell them exactly what changes were made. All these tests aren't for show, something is brewing and I would not be surprised in the least to see a Rossi/Raikkonen pair in 2007.

Mock him at will, when he wins an F1 race, I'll be that guy in this forum telling you all 'I told you so'. 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Exactly right.

[kiko01 0]

Being among the top 10 is not enough for someone like Valentino. I love motorcycling as much as F1 and i have to say that VR is a real champion, no doubt he

[Senna 0]

I hope he comes into F1 as I'll have another driver to follow once JV leaves. Apparently during his last test, the team made a few changes to the car and he was able to tell them exactly what changes were made. All these tests aren't for show, something is brewing and I would not be surprised in the least to see a Rossi/Raikkonen pair in 2007.

Mock him at will, when he wins an F1 race, I'll be that guy in this forum telling you all 'I told you so'.

[Null 0]

this is so Sh#t, rossi/kimi

Kimi has dedicated his life to being in F1 basically

Rossi has moto GP, and you don't see F1 drivers running off to motorbikes just because "they're good in F1"

This is stupid, it's taking oppertunities away from those who deserve it and handing them onto silver spoons to those who may have done well in another motorsport but NOT THE RIGHT ONE

christ, what will we get next? The 6 times world speadboat champion competing for a McLaren drive??

ROSSI STAY OUT OF F1.