Filed under: Motorsports
Formula 1: Valentino Rossi is the real deal
In his first multi-team, open test in an F1 car, MotoGP superstar Valentino Rossi silenced his critics by putting in a
solid performance yesterday
in Valencia, Spain.After a disastrous first day, when he spun on his out lap in wet conditions and did not complete a lap all day, Rossi posted 53 laps Wednesday and ended up 9th quick of 15 drivers. Rossi (shown at right during a Valencia test briefing) was driving a Ferrari F2004 with a detuned, 2006-spec V10. His best lap was a second slower than Michael Schmumacher's best in the new Ferrari F248.
Schumacher, interviewed by French newspaper L'Equipe earlier today, believes Rossi can be successful in Formula 1, saying, "Absolutely, it's completely possible for him." Other F1 drivers were equally positive.
[photo courtesy Ferrari]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Krishna Das 4:24PM (2/02/2006)
Rossi is all set to create history. 125, 250, 500, MotoGP .. now F1. A real speed freak. Maybe the most talented in the entire racing history..
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Camicia 4:26PM (2/02/2006)
There is absolutely no doubt that he is celebrity N.1 in the world of motosports right now. Ah, and he totally deserves it.
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Ford Mustang 5:00PM (2/02/2006)
"was driving a Ferrari F2004 with a detuned, 2006-spec V10"
Aren't the 2006 cars supposed to have V8s?
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tr 5:30PM (2/02/2006)
"Aren't the 2006 cars supposed to have V8s?"
yeah, but he's not driving one of the new cars. the one he's driving still has a V10. it's detuned to
meet 2006 specs.
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Stuart Waterman 5:32PM (2/02/2006)
Ford M: yes, 2006 is the first year for the new V8 formula. The FIA also devised a V10 equivalency formula in case any cash-strapped teams couldn't pony up for a new V8. Mostly involves intake restriction, I think.
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V?or Rubiera 5:40PM (2/02/2006)
With o without Rossi, Michael Schumacher and Ferrari will be champions once again. Forza Schumacher Forza Ferrari!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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ZoomZoomin' 6:35PM (2/02/2006)
It's going to be really sweet if/when Rossi takes to the grid in a prancing horse. So sweet.
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jrhmobile 7:59PM (2/02/2006)
Not to be a heavy, but this is unofficial testing, right? I wonder how "restricted" that V10 was ...
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Krishna Das 8:01PM (2/02/2006)
Don't mind Victor.. after winning 7 times.. Michael should have retired. He should have made an attempt to float his own team.
Its good to retire as a winner than a loser ..
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Ted K 9:11PM (2/02/2006)
"Rossi is the real deal"
That's a headline?
like, DUH.
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Dr. Velocity 11:54AM (2/11/2006)
Yes, Rossi is probably headed to F1 and he will do well IMO, because he is a RACER. He has the "feel", mind set and mental calm found only in a very few.
Regardless, he is already the greatest bike racer the world has seen...and the totality of who he is can only help F1. Hopefully.....help it enough to overcome the boring sterility from which it has suffered in the last decade.
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Dr. Velocity 12:14PM (2/11/2006)
Not so incidentally. Rossi fans and Motor Art collectors familiar (or not) with Nicholas Watts and his work in recording F1 and sportscar racing history, may want to check out MotoDeity.com.
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