Rossi: “I could be good F1 driver”
Added on Friday, November 21st, 2008 by Carole Nash Editor
Rossi: Testing with Ferrari.
Valentino Rossi believes that he could have made it in Formula One had he chosen to leave MotoGP.
The six-time World Champion, who was heavily linked with a move to F1 after testing for Ferrari, was back with the Italian supercar marque this week for another testing session, this time to celebrate his world championship and Ferrari’s recent F1 constructor’s success.
Rossi, who has also tried his hand a rally driving in the past week, has made no secret of his interest in other forms of motorsport and told reporters that he could have made it in the four-wheeled Grand Prix event.
“I have nothing to prove, neither to myself nor to others,” Rossi told said after the test.
“I only had a big curiosity to know. Well, I’m more and more convinced that with a bit of time I could have become a good F1 driver. It only remains to be seen how good, whether good enough to win or not.
“So I have no regrets, never had them: I did the right thing with staying in MotoGP, where I win and I hope to carry on winning for a long time.”
He added: “I want to thank Luca di Montezemolo and Stefano Domenicali for giving me this huge present. This is a celebration for me and for Ferrari, I longed for it, and I’m very happy to be just halfway through it, as I still have another day.
“Compared to 2005 I’ve found a stronger car, more drivable, with formidable aerodynamics. It’s clear that I’ve tried to go as fast as possible: when you drive a Ferrari you can only go quick, otherwise you stay home.”
Rossi covered a total of 320 km during the first day of the test, setting a fastest time of 1:22.550- 0.85 seconds slower than the fastest time set by former world champion Kimi Raikkonen.
“It’s really nice to be here, celebrating a great season with numerous victories, here at home,” said Ferrari team boss Stefano Domenicali. “Mugello is one of our tracks and also a circuit where Valentino has won several times, winning in some extraordinary races.
“It’s two days of pure fun for us and Vale, although we’re doing serious work; you can see that he prepared himself physically. Vale would have been an excellent Formula One driver, but he chose a different road.
“He’s part of our family and that’s why we wanted to give him this opportunity; we’re happy to be together once again; two Italian symbols like Ferrari and Valentino Rossi.”
