Rossi interviews Ferrari F1 chief for official magazine

Rossi interviews Ferrari F1 chief for official magazine



Tuesday, 10 March 2009
Having definitively ruled out a move to Formula 1 in recent years MotoGP World Champion Valentino Rossi was still delighted to spend some time with the Ferrari F1 team over the 2008-09 off season.


Six time MotoGP title winner Valentino Rossi has been enjoying himself with various activities over the off-season having recaptured his MotoGP crown in 2008.
A keen fan of four-wheeled competition the Italian participated in the World Rally Championship again over the winter, finishing a respectable 12th in WRC Wales event December – shortly after enjoying another test drive with Ferrari at the end of November.
The private test at Mugello in the Ferrari F2008 car, as driven by Felipe Massa and Kimi Raikkonen last year, was a gift to Rossi in acknowledgement of his MotoGP triumph in 2008 – and the experience was one which The Doctor enjoyed immensely.
Although fully committed to Yamaha Factory Racing, Rossi has a contract to ride in MotoGP with Fiat Yamaha for the 2009 and 2010 World Championships and at 30 years-old has plenty of goals ahead of him on two wheels, the legendary rider has a great rapport with Ferrari and is friendly with Ferrari F1 Team Principal Stefano Domenicali.
Taking on the new role as interviewer, as opposed to interviewee, in a recent article for the Official Ferrari Magazine, Rossi first gave his own opinions on the differences between driving a rally car, an F1 car and handling his 800cc MotoGP Yamaha M1 prototype, before turning the microphone on Domenicali.
Rossi stated, “There’s no comparison. You don’t get tired in a rally. You have to stay in the car for several hours, you have to get up early in the morning, but you absolutely never get tired. In Formula 1 the problem is your neck. If you’re not used to it, it hurts. But riding a motorbike is extremely tiring: you have to drive with your body, there’s never a moment’s peace.”
Domenicali who impressively has eight F1 World Constructors’ Titles and Six Drivers’ Titles on his CV, was then urged by Rossi to give his gives on MotoGP and asked if he watches the races.
Domenicali said, “I’ve always watched motorcycle racing, ever since I was small and I still watch it now. I like the spirit of motorcycle racing; it’s a bit outrageous, and a little of that spirit wouldn’t do any harm in Formula 1.”
“There’s no doubt we have more fun. In the motorbike paddock it is very different,” asserted Rossi. At which Domenicali responded: “There’s no doubt one of our immediate priorities is to pay more attention to those who come to the racetrack and experience the event onsite. Formula One can’t just be TV.”
“Perhaps that’s why (Seven-time former F1 World Champion and Ferrari driver) Michael Schumacher has begun to race motorcycles,” Rossi suggested with a typical smile.
Domenicali did not miss his chance to put the MotoGP icon on the spot, as he asked, “So, as someone who knows them both, would Schumacher go faster in MotoGP or you in Formula 1?” As confident as ever in his own remarkable talents, Rossi announced, “Me, of course!”
The Official Ferrari Magazine is available via this link.