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Valentino Rossi impresses in three-day F1 test

© Getty Images
By blue2bikes
February 3 2006
Valencia three-day test: After spinning out during his first day of testing, alongside the Formula 1 grid, MotoGP World Champion Valentino Rossi went on to surprise not only the drivers alongside him, but also those who doubted he was capable of driving a Formula 1 car competitively.
Of note most of all was the fact that Rossi was driving a car somewhat behind in terms of development. Compared to the present day cars, the Ferrari F2004, fitted with a V10 engine limited to reproduce the conditions set out in this year’s regulations, is a significantly different car to the V8-powered 2006 spec machines, driven by the majority of drivers today.

On the first day of dry testing, Rossi was to set his best time so far, and would have been positioned in ninth place on the grid. The closest comparison for Rossi was with Michael Schumacher’s 2006 Ferrari team-mate, Felipe Massa, who was also driving the F2004 car - but fitted with the new unlimited V8 engine. Rossi was one second behind Felipe.

As an undoubted rookie to the Formula 1 grid, this has to be one of the best performances by a motorcyclist since John Surtees - who switched disciplines in 1960. On the final times shown below, Rossi is ahead of already very experienced drivers who have been in the sport for many years, and driving a much under-performing car at that.

Rossi has not signed an agreement with any manufacturer for the 2007 season, whether it be in MotoGP or F1, but one thing you can be sure of is that the testing over the past three days has opened everyone’s eyes as to the natural ability he has, and will surely stand him in good stead should he want to change to four wheels in 2007.

Combined times:
1 Fernando Alonso, Renault, 1m 10.904s, 90 laps
2 Jenson Button, Honda, 1:10.907, 85 laps
3 Felipe Massa, Ferrari, 1:11.284, 49 laps
4 Anthony Davidson, Honda, 1:11.573, 124 laps
5 Michael Schumacher, Ferrari, 1:11.649, 42 laps
6 Christian Klien, Red Bull-Ferrari, 1:11.769, 66 laps
7 Heikki Kovalainen, Renault, 1:12.011, 84 laps
8 Jacques Villeneuve, BMW-Sauber, 1:12.179, 102 laps
9 Ralf Schumacher, Toyota, 1:12.192, 82 laps
10 Alex Wurz, Williams-Cosworth, 1:12.246, 82 laps
11 Nico Rosberg, Williams-Cosworth, 1:13.313, 60 laps
12 Valentino Rossi, Ferrari, 1:12.360, 52 laps
13 Pedro de la Rosa, McLaren-Mercedes, 1:12.455, 89 laps
14 Juán Montoya, McLaren-Mercedes, 1:12.488, 58 laps
15 Jarno Trulli, Toyota, 1:12.525, 66 laps
16 Robert Kubica, BMW-Sauber, 1:12.812, 42 laps


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