Rossi to Sportscars?

rdjones · 11 Feb 2006, 09:48 (Ref:1520190)

I have just seen over on DSC that Valentino Rossi, tested Racing Box Maserati MC12 at Misano yesterday. It sounds like he was on pace, as he was in his F1 test last week. Now the suspicion is that he might drive the MC12 in the second half of this season, possible in the FIA GT Championship.

Now that makes a little bit of sense if he is going to step up F1 in 2007 then he will need to get his super lineces and get some race experience and where better to get than in Sportscars.

**Adam43** · 11 Feb 2006, 10:18 (Ref:1520214)

He has a superlicence already. http://www.itv-f1.com/News_Article.aspx?PO_ID=33734

A few races would be good and I'd like to see him in a Sportscar. It could just have been for a bit of fun, but why not?

Audi R8R · 11 Feb 2006, 14:14 (Ref:1520348)

Morew likely to build up his endurance over a longer race distance (than a MotoGP race) and also build up the relevent muscles over the second half of the year, in readiness for an F1 assault in 07.

You never know, he might get the GT/sportscar bug and prefer to do Le Mans...

pink69 · 11 Feb 2006, 14:34 (Ref:1520356)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Audi R8R

You never know, he might get the GT/sportscar bug and prefer to do Le Mans...

I was thinking exactly the same thing. Wouldn't be the first driver/rider from a different category of racing to compete at LM, Colin McRae and Sebastian Loeb have both done it in the past couple of years and done quite well. OK Rossi's thing is two wheels but he has done a fair bit of rallying too so I can see it happening. It'll depend on Yamaha giving him the OK tho.

**Adam43** · 11 Feb 2006, 14:36 (Ref:1520359)

He only has one year left on his contract and I get the impression he can do what he wants (e.g Camel Marlboro). Conflicts with racing may make a differece, but next year anything goes.

ss_collins · 11 Feb 2006, 14:47 (Ref:1520363)

Dream driver rivalry at a future le mans (08?) all in LMP's Micheal Schumacher, Valentino and Seb. Now that would be fun

**Adam43** · 11 Feb 2006, 15:16 (Ref:1520375)

Or a dream team. All in the same car!

Ref: A previous Schumacher thread: http://tentenths.com/forum/showthrea...ght=schumacher
A Loeb thread: http://tentenths.com/forum/showthrea...highlight=loeb

Nick49 · 11 Feb 2006, 19:54 (Ref:1520486)

Hello

Driving a few sportscar races this coming season would seem like a good option for Valentino. Easy way to get some worth while experience without the pressure of driving a Ferrari Formula One car. If he makes a few mistakes he won't get the flak he would at a GP.

There again he might relish the challenge of striaght into F1. Lets face it, he's not short of confidence or ego.

Nick

ss_collins · 11 Feb 2006, 23:54 (Ref:1520619)

how bout this V and MS in a works Ferrari or Maserati LMP1 taking on Seb in a Peugeot, and Tom in the R10

Dani Filth · 12 Feb 2006, 00:36 (Ref:1520633)

even better

cmk · 12 Feb 2006, 02:17 (Ref:1520663)

lmsr.net states that Rossi's girlfriend is Gabriele Matteuzzi's daughter, so the test was an informal thinge because he happened to be present and wanted to give the car a try.

krt917 · 12 Feb 2006, 20:50 (Ref:1521259)

Fair enough, though it would be quite a sensible idea for him to get some racing experience in before (if) he gets into F1.

Mal · 13 Feb 2006, 07:45 (Ref:1521561)

Quote:

Originally Posted by cmk

lmsr.net states that Rossi's girlfriend is Gabriele Matteuzzi's daughter, so the test was an informal thinge because he happened to be present and wanted to give the car a try.

One can get a bit cynical about statements saying he just 'happened' to be at the test with his girlfriend when he also just happend to have his helmet and racesuit in the trunk.

It would make perfect sense to do some car racing if he does intend to do F1 and in fact the FIA may insist on it in order to grant a superlicence.

Audi R8R · 13 Feb 2006, 12:38 (Ref:1521740)

He alreasy has a superlicense, he wouldn't have been able to do the multi team test last week if he hadn't.

It is a good idea to get some long distance milage under his belt though. A few hours in a GT1 car would start to build up the required muscles for graduating to the F1 car full time in 07.

vs346 · 13 Feb 2006, 15:53 (Ref:1521851)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mal

One can get a bit cynical about statements saying he just 'happened' to be at the test with his girlfriend when he also just happend to have his helmet and racesuit in the trunk.

Racesuits can be borrowed, and he was around testing for motogp so he definitely had his helmet.

ss_collins · 13 Feb 2006, 16:04 (Ref:1521863)

Yeah it does happen - you cart your race kit about in the car. Especially if you have more than one set.

**Adam43** · 13 Feb 2006, 18:36 (Ref:1521971)

Yes, you never know. You'd hate to be somewhere and someone goes "wanna go". Kit and licence in the car wherever you go!

**Adam43** · 13 Feb 2006, 19:23 (Ref:1522015)

Apparently he alo has a little go in a Viper!

gwyllion · 14 Feb 2006, 16:35 (Ref:1522711)

Quote:

Originally Posted by rdjones

It sounds like he was on pace, as he was in his F1 test last week.

Only his last lap "magically" was on pace; see http://www.lmsr.net/feb34.html

mirkob · 14 Feb 2006, 22:26 (Ref:1522972)

wonderful Vodafone colors for the RacingBox MC12 it's like a Ferrari :-)

http://www.racingbox.it/control/uplo..._7509_Test.jpg

**Adam43** · 15 Feb 2006, 08:17 (Ref:1523159)

It does look good, but, don't you mean like a McLaren

Bramzel · 15 Feb 2006, 17:09 (Ref:1523535)

Quote:

Originally Posted by AdamAshmore

It does look good, but, don't you mean like a McLaren

Can't see why, as this one isn't wrapped up in aluminium foil

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