Valentino Rossi, immense champion. The very essence of speed on two and now four wheels. Legendary pilot, second only to Giacomo Agostini for statistics and to Marc Marquez in substance. He remains the best, the most well-known and beloved Italian sportsman of all time. He Emilian doc, the highest expression of the land of motors, wanted to invite the most beautiful Red of all time for a dance. And it was love returned, at first sight.
Rossi is one of the most successful motorcycle racers of all time - with nine Grand Prix World Championships to his name, seven of which in the premier class. He tested the Ferrari F1 car several times between 2005 and 2009 and impressed with his speed, but decided not to chase career on four wheels because he loved motorcycle racing too much. One of those tests was the one on the eve of the 2006 season at the Ricardo Tormo circuit in Valencia, when Michael Schumacher, Felipe Massa and Valentino Rossi were driving.
Luigi Mazzola, former Ferrari engineer, said Schumacher was surprised at how fast the Doctor was on four wheels. “I do not remember exactly how many tests we did with Valentino Rossi in Ferrari, at least seven of them,” Mazzola said. “On the first test, Valentino has done a lot of laps and he has been driving some incredibly good times in last test. I remember Michael Schumacher, who studied telemetry, looked very surprised, almost unable to believe what he saw.”
Although testing times are difficult to compare, on February 2, 2006 in Valencia Rossi was close to Michael Schumacher and Felipe Massa. But it should be noted that Schumacher was driving a new F248F1 with a V8 engine, Massa was driving the F2004 with a V8 engine and Rossi the F2004 with a limited V10 engine. Schumacher tested tyres and developed a car, Massa focused on tyres only and Rossi continued to adapt to the modified F2004. Michael completed 43 laps and set the best time 1:11.640, Felipe completed 50 laps (best time 1:11.288) and Valentino completed 53 laps and set the best time 1:12.362.
"I don't like being famous - it is like a prison. And driving for Ferrari would make it far worse." Valentino Rossi
"I race to win. If I am on the bike or in a car it will always be the same." Valentino Rossi
"If I test the car for a year I can be quite competitive the next season." Valentino Rossi
"Riding a race bike is an art - a thing that you do because you feel something inside." Valentino Rossi
"I would have probably stolen cars - it would have given me the same adrenaline rush as racing." Valentino Rossi
“I never race for records. The motivation to try to beat the record is not enough to continue. You have to enjoy it.” Valentino Rossi
“The great fights with you strongest rivals are always the biggest motivation. When you win easily it’s not the same taste.” Valentino Rossi
“Maybe the bike is more dangerous but the passion for the car for me is second to the bike.” Valentino Rossi
“The most important thing is to have a good relationship with the bike… you have to understand what she wants. I think of a motorcycle as a woman and I know that sounds silly, but it’s true.” Valentino Rossi
“My normal life is like being on holiday.” Valentino Rossi
“I’m Valentino Rossi. And I want to be a person, not an icon.” Valentino Rossi
“Speed. It involves movement. Of reflection, thought, attention, gesture. It generates advantages, libidos, a pinch of risk, an exclusive pleasure. The pleasure of earning something, to achieve something. A goal, a fulfillment. Speed as the elimination of downtime, time lost, boredom, sometimes. Speed as a way of living, of winning, of being in the world, being the world in full acceleration. It is an aspiration and, often, a choice or an attitude that amplifies sensations, reactions, taste. Speed forces you to a proper care, to a specific ability, otherwise it involves a mistake, a fall, a regret. Head and body are needed for speed. That mastery that allows you to appreciate slowness, when being fast is not needed at all.” Valentino Rossi
"I remember the great thrill of driving on water, F1 is even more scary in the wet than in the dry because it has incredible grip. Then I don't forget the sensations of passing through the Casanova Savelli and Arrabbiata 2. At that point we exited in full sixth gear at 278 km per hour, that is exactly 100 km per hour more than with the Moto GP. All this inside a kind of box, with your bottom on the ground, unable to see anything. I assure you, to say that it is a good feeling doesn’t convey the idea!" Valentino Rossi
Valentino Rossi in his Ferrari.
Videos
Comments
Authorize to comment