Valentino Rossi 2008

World Champion MotoGP rider Valentino Rossi, once again tested in the Formula One Ferrari on Thursday, at Mugello, although he made it clear that he had no intention of a switch to an F1.

The 29-year-old Italian, completed 30 laps in the morning session with a fastest lap time of 1: 23.930, only two seconds off the pace of a competitive lap, and in the afternoon session he had improved to post a time of 1:22.50 before bad weather cut the session short.

Rossi told reporters,

“I have nothing to prove, neither to myself not to others.  I only had a curiosity to know.  Well. I’m more and more convinced that with a bit of time I could have become a good F1 driver.  It only remains to be seen how good, whether good enough to win or not.

So I have no regrets, never had them:  I did the right thing with staying in MotoGP, where I win and I hope to carry on winning for a long time.

I want to thank Luca di Montezemolo and Stefano Domenicali for giving me this huge present.  This is a celebration for me and for Ferrari, I longed for it, and I’m very happy to be just halfway through it, as I still have another day.

Compared to 2005 I’ve found a stronger car, more drivable, with formidable aerodynamics.  It’s clear that I’ve tried to go as fast as possible:  When you drive a Ferrari you can only go quick, otherwise you stay at home.”