SM
Greece vs. England: 3 hrs 13 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews

Rossi admits he turned down Ferrari in 2006

:Headline: Rossi admits he turned down Ferrari in 2006: ID:385294: from db_amp
Valentino Rossi says he came tantalisingly close to switching to Formula 1 in 2006.

Valentino Rossi says he came tantalisingly close to switching to Formula 1 in 2006.

Last month, the MotoGP legend swapped his bike for Lewis Hamilton's Mercedes in a highly publicised event at Valencia.

Rossi, 40, told La Gazzetta dello Sport that he came close to being just a second off Hamilton's pace.

And Luigi Mazzola, the former head of Ferrari's test team, said that when Rossi did several serious tests for Ferrari years ago, Michael Schumacher was impressed.

"In the first test, he spun a dozen times, but over time he did some really amazing laptimes," he said.

"I remember looking at the data in the box with Michael and he had an astonished expression on his face. He was almost incredulous," Mazzola added.

Some 14 years later, Italian Rossi now reveals he came close to quitting two wheels and launching a serious Formula 1 career in 2006.

"I had completed a number of tests for Ferrari and we then sat down with the team management, who had worked out a very comprehensive plan to prepare me for a career in Formula 1," he said.

But Rossi said the deal fell over due to the details.

"The plan said that I had to drive a less fast car to prepare, and I was supposed to be a test driver at first. That's why I decided to decline the offer," Rossi said.

amp_article__385294 : Database Data restored...  : 
last updated article - 2020-01-07 06:44:23:
html db last update - 2020-01-07 06:44:23 :

ex - 7200 : read : read cache amp html

Click here for more stories about Lewis Hamilton

Click here for more stories about Ferrari

Share this article now:
Recommended Next on SM
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool119112161528
2Manchester CityMan City117222213923
3Chelsea115422113819
4Arsenal115421812619
5Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest115421510519
6Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton115421915419
7Fulham115331613318
8Newcastle UnitedNewcastle115331311218
9Aston Villa115331717018
10Tottenham HotspurSpurs1151523131016
11Brentford115152222016
12Bournemouth114341515015
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd114341212015
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham113351319-612
15Leicester CityLeicester112451421-710
16Everton112451017-710
17Ipswich TownIpswich111551222-108
18Crystal Palace11146815-77
19Wolverhampton WanderersWolves111371627-116
20Southampton11119721-144
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.



. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .