[Monty Burns]

Browsing through this article its easy to miss the following line:

"The Italian will defend his MotoGP title with Yamaha but Ferrari have said they want to sign him in 2007."

Well, we all knew he was testing and looking good, looks like Ferrari have made up there mind. Will Schumi retire or will they ditch the other guy? Will Rossi go to them? (Looks like its his choice now)

[markbingo]

My guess is that MS bows out. He has nothing left to prove, and being up against Rossi (who the Tifosi will adore) will be a difficult position to be in.

[alexs2]

I think the writing has been on the wall for some time now,and as soon as Rossi displayed a serious interest in F1 testing,it presented a marketing/racing match made in heaven for Ferrari and F1 in general,which needs something to add a bit of spark,after years of corporate dullness.

There seems no doubt that with sufficient time and testing that Rossi will be up to speed(he even managed to fit in an unofficial test in a Maserati MC12 yesterday,and was within 10ths of it's regualr driver's speed within 12 laps).....I think it goes to show that truly good drivers are fast whatever they turn their hands to( many will remember Martin Brundle and Colin Mcrae swapping cars for a day,and both getting very close to each others times).

Lets hope it comes off....he'd be a breath of fresh air to the entire F1 world,and more so if he begins to win.

[Monty Burns]

I wana find a bookmakers that will allow me to put a large bet on this now. If Rossi takes part in 2007, im putting a fair chunk of wedge for him in the top 3 at the end of the season.

Anyone know any that will accept this?

[T0MAT01]

I wouldn't be too hasty to put money on him just yet, most likely IMO is that they'll give him a year in the third/test car first.

It would be unlike Ferrari to jump straight in with an unknown quantity, they may even ship him out to Redbull for a years experiance.

BTW how will he qualify for an FIA Superlicence without a background in GP2 etc.?

[Speedyjay]

Rossi's show fabulous pace in testing, they don't need to give him a year as a third driver. He'll be flying from the start!

[Monty Burns]

And if I was king of the world on a Motorbike and I showed such pace, I would settle for nothing less than to at least partner Schumi.

Granted, unlike Ferrari but there is only one Rossi.

Either way, I will only be placing a large, hefty bet if he's in the Ferrari team .... and of course, he would have to be racing, don't think you get many bets on how fast a test driver can go on an empty track

[alexs2]

Originally Posted by T0MAT01

BTW how will he qualify for an FIA Superlicence without a background in GP2 etc.?

There is an exception under one of the rules appendices for driver qualifications whereby if the driver's previous record is judged sufficient,and he has covered not less than 300km in a current F1 car,then he can be admitted,although the exception only applies to single seat cars,which may explain the number of tests,and the fact they are being conducted at open F1 tests.

I think it would be hard for the FIA to refuse an entrance to Rossi if he has covered the requisite distance(300km in 2 days at race speeds) with competitive times,against other experienced drivers in open testing.....it would be interesting to see how they'd turn that one down.