• Ferrari

Valentino Rossi denies F1 switch

ESPNF1 Staff
January 22, 2010 « McLaren signs 14-year-old to development programme | »
Valentino Rossi spent Wednesday and Thursday testing a 2008 Ferrari © Getty Images
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After completing two days of testing with Ferrari, MotoGP champion Valentino Rossi has once again denied rumours he will make a switch to Formula One.

Rossi drove a 2008 Ferrari at Barcelona on Wednesday and Thursday this week as a reward for winning his sixth MotoGP title last year. He has tested twice with the team before and on each occasion rumours have emerged that he will switch from two wheels to four.

Ferrari team principal Stefano Domenicali recently hinted that Rossi could be an option if his outfit was allowed to run three cars. But Rossi, whose contract with Yamaha runs out at the end of the year, insists he will not be leaving his sport.

"When I could come to F1, I will be too old," he said. "There are wonderful drivers there. I'm fine in my world, which is bikes. This is just a diversion, some fun, and I am grateful to everybody for the opportunity."

Rossi impressed the team again on Thursday as dry conditions allowed him to run on GP2 slick tyres and lower his lap time to 1:21.900s, faster than the best time during the 2009 Spanish Grand Prix. He said that testing at the Circuit de Catalunya had been more enjoyable than his last outing at Mugello in 2008.

"We kept the last three quarters of an hour to try a 'time attack' with little petrol and fresh tyres," he said. "I would have given anything for such a lap time. It's more fun here [at the Circuit de Catalunya], because it's a little bit easier. It's more effort in Mugello, but this track here is really wonderful, with motorbikes and cars, although I have to say that turn 10 is a little tight (the one with the spins) and you're braking much later."

Felipe Massa will take over testing duties on Friday at Barcelona, as he continues his rehabilitation after his skull-fracturing accident at the Hungaroring last summer.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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