Rossi with a number 46 by Ferrari at Mugello

Valentino Rossi was invited by Ferrari yesterday and today to test the Formula 1 car again. The Italian, six-time world champion in MotoGP, had already tested the Ferrari in 2005 and 2006, on the Fiorano (Italy) and Valencia (Spain) circuits respectively. This time, the test is taking place in Maranello, on the Mugello track.

See the photos of Rossi’s tests here

The tests, conducted to celebrate Ferrari’s world championship victory and Rossi’s, began yesterday at 11 in the morning and ended at 4:30. Rossi drove for 320 kilometers, achieving his best lap time of 1:22.55.

« I am really happy to have had this opportunity and I want to thank President Luca di Montezemolo and Stefano Domenicali for offering it to me, » commented Valentino Rossi in the evening.

« Driving a Ferrari F1 on a track like Mugello is something fantastic and incredible. It’s great to work with people at such a level. We did quite a good job, very professional, and we tried to improve lap after lap. I am satisfied and hope I can do even better next time. »

Stefano Domenicali, director of Scuderia Ferrari, was present at Mugello: “It’s really nice to be here, celebrating a great season with many victories. Mugello is one of our tracks, but it’s also a circuit where Valentino [Rossi] won several races,” the Italian stated…

Valentino Rossi is currently testing an F1 car for the first time without traction control. He believes he has seen a lot of change before driving the single-seater: « It’s impressive to see how much F1 cars have changed since my last tests, especially without the anti-slip feature. »

Rossi is a very good MotoGP rider but Domenicali also sees him as a Formula 1 driver. The Italian thinks he would have the abilities: « We are doing a serious job, you can see it in the way he has prepared physically. Rossi would have been an excellent Formula One driver, but he chose another path. »

At 31, the Italian no longer thinks he can drive in F1 as an official driver. He admits he’s too old and prefers to think about Rallying: « I’m a bit too old to aim for a spot in F1. Rallying, on the other hand, is still very much open for me. Age plays a much less important role there… »

The two symbols of Italy, according to Domenicali, will meet again today to continue their occasional tests.

See photos of Rossi’s trials here