Rossi turns down Ferrari Le Mans offer
Added on Tuesday, December 29th, 2009 by Carole Nash Editor
Rossi turns down Ferrari Le Mans offer
Valentino Rossi has turned down yet another approach to drive a Ferrari, this time to race in the Le Mans 24-hour race.
The nine-time MotoGP champion, who has had numerous offers from Ferrari in the past to ditch two wheels for four, has turned down an offer from former Ferrari F1 driver Jean Alesi to race at Le Mans in June.
Alesi will driver a Ferrari 430 GT2 car for the AF Corse team at the French circuit and saw Rossi as the idea co-driver, particularly after Rossi’s impressive performance in a recent Ferrari endurance event in Italy. Rossi had previously hinted at his desire to race at Le Mans but the timing of the event clashes with one of the busiest months of the MotoGP calendar.
“I’m flattered by Jean’s offer but June is the busiest month of the MotoGP championship, with as many as three races scheduled,” said Rossi.
“So it’s impossible to think of participating in the 24-Hour race.”
Yamaha team manager David Brivio confirmed that Rossi wanted to avoid any distractions as he tries to defend his bike crown, with a home Grand Prix in Mugello as well as the rounds at Silverstone and Assen to prepare for that month. He revealed that his star rider has even turned down a rally drive in Mexico, due for early 2010.
Brivio said: “Valentino has even abandoned the idea of taking part in the Rally of Mexico because it’s too close to the start of the season, and there are the test sessions.
“Truth is, when the season starts, Vale wants to concentrate solely on bikes, which constitute his proper job.
“That’s why he takes part in rallies and car races only once the season finishes.”
