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Valentino Rossi, the current MotoGP four-stroke World Champion,
tested an F1 Ferrari at Fiorano yesterday.
Under conditions of great secrecy and hidden under a helmet similar
to Schuey's, he completed at least 20 laps in an F2004. His best
lap time was allegedly around 59 secs, about 3 seconds off the lap
record.
The 25 year old charismatic Italian, a multiple world champion on
two wheels, has often spoken of his desire to race in F1. In a move
which shocked the 'bike world, he changed teams from Honda to Yamaha
this season, because it was a bigger challenge - a move which commentators
equated to Schumacher moving from Ferrari to Sauber.
He took a superb victory for his new team in the South African
GP on Sunday with a stunning display of speed, control and aggression.
This performance, on a clearly inferior machine (his team mate came
10th), was reminiscent of Schuey in his first season at Ferrari.
It is obviously very early days, but if Rossi does move to cars
and races for Ferrari, let us hope he is as successful as the last
'bike racer to do so. John Surtees won the F1 title for Ferrari
40 years ago this year and is still the only man to win World Championships
on two and four wheels.
It's got to be worth Ferrari's time to give Rossi a test as there's
still no "heir apparent" to Schuey in the car world.
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