MotoGP rider Valentino Rossi, will be exchanging his two-wheeled Yamaha for four Ferrari wheels at the start of the 2007 F1 Grand Prix championship, a report has revealed.
MotoGP rider Valentino Rossi, will be exchanging his two-wheeled Yamaha for four Ferrari wheels at the start of the 2007 F1 Grand Prix championship, a report has revealed.
CAR magazine correspondent Giancarlo Perini reports that, according to the Italian magazine , the current MotoGP champion has signed a provisional three-year contract with the Scuderia, which has experienced a significant slump this season.
But, Rossi has displayed his versatility in a number of test sessions with the championship winning team at its Fiorano test circuit, and holds a best lap time just one second off the pace of the best time ever recorded at the track.
The report added that Rossi would be allowed to practice with Ferrari’s 2006 F1 car as often as possible, so that he would be able to challenge for the lead from the very first race in 2007. However, Ferrari has reportedly recommended that he improve his braking sensitivity and develop a stronger neck to deal with the added g-forces of F1 racing.
Ferrari has not denied the reports, but has said, “We need to wait for Valentino and his decision”.
Meanwhile, with six races remaining this season, Rossi has extended his MotoGP contract with Yamaha for another year. He already holds six grand prix titles, and, with a virtually unassailable 132-point lead, is well on his way to recording his seventh championship title.