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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