The nine-times world motorcycling champion, Italian Valentino Rossi, on Thursday marked stratospheric time (1:21.9) at the Montmelo circuit with the Ferrari F2008, staying three tenths off the fastest lap from Kimi Raikkonen in the GP of Spain 2008 (1:21.6). Also, the time Rossi got this Thursday at its second meeting, and final test aboard a “F2008″ at the Catalan circuit, is just one tenth pole position won by the Finn (1.21.8) in the same race in 2008.
Rossi, who in addition to driving the old car has tires made footwear with GP2, as required by the FIA regulations in this type of champions online resources buy testing, flying over the asphalt of Barcelona, much drier than the previous day, allowing it to fall by over four seconds the fastest time achieved yesterday (1:26.2).
In the morning session on Thursday completed 29 laps, unable to get off of 1:25. Maybe that’s why, in his press conference at noon was skeptical about his chances of someday make the leap to Formula One
“I do not know. We’ll see. Flying a Formula One car is a great experience but very stressful,” said the ‘Doctor’ who has insisted that “still more fun to ride a bike” to drive a car, even Ferrari, the team global agenda credits.
The seven-times world MotoGP returned to the track this afternoon, after lunch, with Brazilian Felipe Massa, Ferrari race driver alongside the Spanish Fernando Alonso for the 2010 season, who should give valid advice, as Rossi flew in training evening.
The new teammate Fernando Alonso, will shoot tomorrow with the same car and in conditions similar to those of Valentino, whose times will refer you unexpectedly.
In the afternoon, with runs to get smaller and less loaded with fuel, the Italian was reducing the time lap after lap earth eternal gold.
The latter were unique: they stopped the chronometer in 1:22.1, 1:22.0 and then, at last, signed a fabulous 1:21.9. He could have tried to attack the mark of Raikkonen. But in the end chose to bring the car to the pits.
If Michael Schumacher, with just turned 41 years, has returned to Formula One, why not try Rossi, who is about to turn ten years younger?, Questioned him at a news conference.
“Schumacher has raced all his life in Formula One has been plenty of times world champion, seven-and he is not a normal person,” has justified ‘Dottore’.
Maybe, after seeing the times he set on Thursday Yamaha rider, in his sixth race at the wheel of a Formula One car, we must conclude that he is not a normal person.