Ferrari or otherwise, do you think that Rossi will try his hand at something new?

He's already proved his talent by dominating the pinnacle of bike racing.

With Rossi's contract up after next season I wouldn't be surprised if he opted for a whole new challenge. I am a bit skeptical about F1 and Ferrari though. Although Vale can obviously drive a car quickly I can't see how he could really live up to a ferrari drive so soon.

I suppose Ferrari have never been opposed to having very clear #1 and #2 drivers though and to have the italian fan favourite driving for the italian manufacturer would undoubtedly be their PR team's dream come true.

Can't help but feel he should do his time driving for one of the smaller teams or be a test driver for a while though (pigs will probably fly before the latter happens though :lol:).

I'd hate so see him go. I'm sure the rest of the MotoGP paddock is already thinking about life post-valentino and can't wait for him to up sticks.

Whether he'll go into F1 or not, I don't know. He seems to like his rally driving so he might go there?

With MotoGP becoming more popular and corporate etc, Rossi's antics would be sorely missed if and when he leaves, that's for sure. I think it's probably just a matter of time though as he clearly likes a challenge and if next season goes as well as 2005's then I wouldn't be surprised if he decides he wants to do something different. I definitely wouldn't complain about a Rossi-Ducati/Kwakka/Suzuki partnership though. :mrgreen:

Rally seems less far-fetched to me but who knows what to expect with Rossi? If I remember right the last time he got in a rally car he crashed it though, so that may not have done him any favours. :lol:

Every read Doohan's biog? Call me a sceptic ( I am! ) I think all of Rossi's talk of Rally, F1 and so on is just a realy clever game. When the Yam contract is up at the end of 2006 Rossi will say ' right that's it, I'm off ' and Dorna will sh*t themselves. Yamaha and Ducati will be lining up their bankmanagers to make him the biggest two wheeled pay deal ever and Dorna will throw in a healthy few Million Euro just for good measure to be sure and keep Vale far away from the evil clutches of Mr Ecclestone.

Just like Mick did every time his contract was up with Honda, he would court Yamaha and Suzuki's attention, slip their pay offer into the rumour mill and Mr Honda would get out the chequebook...but I could be wrong. Now where did I put that crystal ball.....?

I honestly can't see Vale leaving MotoGP.

Paul

:lol: :lol: Now that is a theory, I like it. Valentino is certainly more than smart enough to try something like that, and it would undoubtedly work too. One thing about Rossi is he does like his challenges, and as I mentioned in the other thread, 800cc in 2007 will be quite a challenge.

The press have been all over his F1 tests (course on MotoReview I've done nothing of the sort :shifty:) and it does seem plausible that Ferrari were ok with it purely for the publicity they're receiving. Then again, maybe Ferrari aren't in on it either.

I get the feeling nobody but Rossi will really know what's going on for quite some time.

I get the feeling nobody but Rossi will really know what's going on for quite some time.

I get the feeling that ROSSI won't know until the end of this year but while the media are already in a frenzy over his next move, he's laughing. It all bodes well for the end of contract negotiations. Good teacher that Doohan fella.

Paul

Rossi-this... Rossi-that... The speculation goes on and on...

I really don't think that what Val does will have everything to do with whethers he's bored or not but who is willing to offer him the largest paycheck.

Look at it this way... The kids is making HUGE money right now but only a portion of it is coming directly from riding. the rest is from his endoesments, etc. If Moto GP wants the kid back they, along with Yammaha will have ti pony up with some serious cash.

Meanwhile, F-1 is allways in need of top level talent but even more, needs heroes, who can keep the cash registers full. I think that Rossi is in the cat bird seat on this one and will go with whichever sport flashes the most cash. I think that'll be F-1.

Theres one more thing to look at... Which sport presents a driver/rider with the possibility of the longest career? Formula-1! Remember, when youre riding a bike, your body is the car. Car drivers have MUCH lower injury and mortality rates than bike riders.

If the money is right Rossi will stay on bikes but past 2007? I don't think so.

Mymindsok

Welcome to the forum. :)

I reckon you're dead right about the cash aspect... the only other issue though is that I can't see Vale happy working with an uncompetitive team (whatever the sport). Sure Yamaha weren't #1 when he switched over from Honda but they weren't anywhere near the slowest manufacturer around either. With F1 there are usually only a few quick teams each season and I'm not sure they'd even want Rossi at this point given his lack of race experience in an F1 car. And would Rossi be willing to spend a year as a test driver, or driving for one of the backmarker teams? It would surprise me a bit if he did.

But then you never know. :think: