Rossi back in a Formula One car
A special test session at the Mugello circuit with a very special driver behind the wheel of the F2008, the car which won the Formula 1 Constructors' world Title. Moto GP World Champion Valentino Rossi. For Rossi it was a comeback behind the wheel of a red one from Maranello as he already tested the cars in 2005 and 2006 at Fiorano, Mugello and Valencia. But this time it was just for pure fun, for both - Ferrari and Rossi - celebrating their victorious seasons.
On the occasion the F2008, the one driven by Kimi Raikkonen in the last races of the Championship at China and Brazil, the car was fitted with the unusual number 46, as a homage to Valentino.
The test session started just after 11am and ended at 4:30pm. Valentino drove 320 kilometres and consulting the watch one coud see that he has everything he needs to be a Formula One driver: before the lunch break his fastest lap time was 1.23.76, while in the afternoon he did it in 1.22.55.
"I'm really happy that I had this possibility and I want to thank President Luca di Montezemolo and Stefano Domenicali for it," Valentino Rossi said when he met the journalists at the end of the day. "Driving a Ferrari Formula One car on a track like Mugello is something fantastic and incredible. It's great to work with people on such a high level, like those who were at the track with me today. We've done some pretty good work, very professional, and we tried to improve lap after lap. I'm satisfied and I hope I can do it again tomorrow."
Stefano Domenicali, Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro's team principal, was present at Mugello. "It's really nice to be here, celebrating a great season with numerous victories, here at home. Mugello is one of our tracks and also a circuit where Valentino has won several times, winning in some extraordinary races," Domenicali said. "It's two days of pure fun for us and Vale, although we're doing serious work; you can see that how he prepared himself physically. Vale would have been an excellent Formula One driver, but he chose a different road. He's part of our family and that's why we wanted to give him this opportunity; we're happy to be together once again; two Italian symbols like Ferrari and Valentino Rossi."
The test sessions at Mugello will continue tomorrow.
