AFP/Josep Lagoview photoASSEN, Netherlands (AFP) - Talk of a move into Formula One car racing for Valentino Rossi was dismissed Thursday as "cafe table discussions" by the Italian motorcycling champion.
The rumours were "designed to stimulate the imagination of the fans," the 30-year-old told reporters from Italian media who asked him about reports he might join Ferrari as the stable's third driver next season.
"I am quite happy about it, it could happen in 2011 - why not?" added the Yamaha rider, currently joint leader in the Moto GP championship with Spain's Jorge Lorenzo and Australian Casey Stoner.
Rossi, who has won eight world titles in all including five in Moto GP and one in 500cc, will be fighting for his 100th grand prix victory at the Assen Grand Prix on Saturday.
"In 2010 I have a contract with Yamaha so it would be difficult or even impossible," added Rossi. "What is more, Ferrari do not have a third car and I have taken no decision about changing sport.
"I am riding my bike, I am happy at Yamaha and I want to stay concentrated on the championship with the objective of winning another title.
"All this started when I was quick on some private tests but it's one thing to make a good time alone in practice, and another to compete in a race," he added.
Rossi has been a guest driver at the wheel of a Ferrari on a number of occasions since 2006.
Comment 1 - 16 of 16
They curl blonde dont know how to race with strategy, I watch him in le mans and mugello trading bike it's was dreadful. Well F1 isn't just about fast but also being smart there's tire selectionts, fuel strategy, fast turns and complicated braking wich did not exist in motorbike, unlike bike wich you can turn by sliding the rear tire Formulacar did not have E-brake so you can drift the car around the turn it's just more difficult and smarter then bikeracing.
That's true Ted d #1, if Ferrari are looking for drivers to replace Kimi or Felipe, let them look for someone younger than 30.
Ted you are such a gonk!!! i am an expert, HaHa!! nice one superjohn, Rossi the man for the job, get rid of Hamilton......... a has been
It is nothing new, the only guy who could handle the pre WW2 Auto Union was a motorcycle champion and that was some evil handling beast with swing axle rear suspension. Nuvolari, one of the best pre-post war drivers was also an accomplished two wheeler. John Surtees was a World Champion in both sports but as for the put down of Hamilton and the other F1 pilotes, just remember Top Gear's Hamster's attempt to drive the Renault. Stalls, despite the anti-stall and spins. Like him, most posters would be lucky to reach the first corner.
Rossi has car control virtually the equivalent of WRC drivers and might be best in the pace note four wheel sport
All i can say is make the most of Rossi coz when he retiers in a few years there wont be any one like him for many years to come, what ever he puts his hand to in motor sport i have no dout he would be right up there with the top people. The media should no by now Rossi is a master at mind games and putting teasers out just to get people going thats why he is the best at what he does. im just glad ive got to see him race many times.
Thats right brucef1li, and guess what, i am max mosley. I just had another macho-saganastic-orgy. lol
keep slapping the hamster brucie
Ted you are such a gonk!!! i am an expert, HaHa!! nice one superjohn, Rossi the man for the job, get rid of Hamilton......... a has been
I bet Rossi could jump into an F1 car anytime in the next 5 years and have some success. He's in remarkable shape, has excellent feel and control, and is just damn fast. Now, I don't think he'd be in a Ferrari anymore, but I bet he'd be a valuable asset to any team. Look at the way he developed the Honda and Yamaha MotoGP machines.
Actually, Rossi has already test driven a Ferrari F1 car. A few years back, as well as having raced in World Rallies,most notably the Network Q Rally of Great Britain (or Wales as it is now known). Anyhow. During his test with Ferrari,he was only about half a second off M.Schumacher's best time around Mugello.......still think he'd be at the back of the pack, especially when ya consider BEFORE he began to race bikes, he raced Karts in Italy. So he does have experiecne of how to go fast on 4 wheels. 1996 F1 World Champion Damon Hill started by racing bikes before he switched to Formula Ford. Not to mention John Surtees. And with Fiat being Ferrari's owners, it is not totally inconcievable that Rossi COULD make it into F1,although the man himself has said on occasions he would prefer Rally driving when he finishes MotoGP
No wonder why Bruce li is dead...He went to the alternate reality he was living in. Every couch potato is an expert on F1. In his last 2 years michael schumacher was beaten by Alonzo, and he had a fairly decent car, you think he can win with a mustang that can't go around a corner, and has no grip. Bruce u suck.
He will shock us all, Teds a fool and has no idea about F1, give Rossi a car and a weeks practice and hammy won't see him for dust not that that's a big deal, as i said hammy given up really sulking and putting blame on the car and the team, he should leave and let someone who knows how to set a car up get in it, all i know is if you put Shuey in that car it would be winning again before the end of July..............
So true Ted d, so true. Brucef1lee's brain has been rotting for far to long lol. It's next to impossible to come into F1 at that age and be sucessful. At the age of thirty most F1 drivers are staring retirement in the face. Thank goodness Jenson Buttons time has finally come because retirement is comming soon:( His success is well deserved:) No chance ever that Rossi will make the switch to F1.
Ted you gonk!, Rossi could win in F1, he could beat some of the tossers in it now, look at hammy my gran could beat him, Button and Vettel lapped him like he was stood still, they should get shut of hammy as it looks like he has given up anyway & put Rossi in his car and put Mclaren back on the podium.
If he did swap to F1, I have no doubt he would be a success. The guy is a true force of nature.
They guy is 30 years old, and getting older. Which idiot thinks that he can now jump into a new environment, and have the same level of success that guys who have been doing this since the age of 16. Most formular 1 drivers in their 30"s are ready to retire. It is not going to happen. It sounds good Rossi in a ferrari, all hail Italy. Running in 21place 2 laps down.
Stop writing smack people.
Please login to post a comment
Not already a Yahoo! user ? Sign up to get a free Yahoo! Account