Rossi embarrassed himself.

[DJ Down Under]

February 1 2006
Rossi slides in F1 test
Valentino Rossi's saw an embarasing start to his latest F1 test - spinning out on his first lap.
The test, which is Rossi's first against other F1 drivers, was delayed for most of the day due to heavy rain but the MotoGP champion was allowed out in the 2004 Ferrari after the weather cleared.
Unfortunately his first attempt came to an abrupt end as he failed to feel how slippery the track still was, spinning the car in to the gravel as Honda driver Rubens Barrichello came flying past on only his first lap.
Despite having to be trailered back to the pits he still has another chance as testing continues until Friday.
F1 teams, including Honda, McLaren, Williams, BWM and Toyota are there.
Rossi is driving the F2004, alongside Michael Schumacher. Both Schumacher and current team-mate Felipe Massa have contracts set to expire at the end of 2006, which would leave an opening for Rossi in 2007.
Due to his novice status, Rossi's Ferrari carries a permanently flashing light to warn other drivers when he takes to the track.
The only previous rider to have won bike and car world championships is Britian's John Surtees.

[supermotoC]

in the immortal words of Homer Simpson.... "DOH"!

[DJ Down Under]

Rossi seems very serious about F1...and 9th fastest is very good...and he is also finding out where the limit is.


MotoGP Champion Valentino Rossi managed a few more laps that yesterday and set the 9th fastest time


MotoGP Champion Valentino Rossi struggled in the Ferrari spinning at least 4 times going off into the gravel on two occasions.

Fernando Alonso Renault V8 M 1:11.219 52
Jenson Button Honda V8 M 1:11.327 89
Michael Schumacher Ferrari V8 B 1:11.831 72
Juan Pablo Montoya McLaren V8 M 1:11.998 68
Rubens Barrichello Honda V8 M 1:12.062 112
Heikki Kovalainen Renault V8 M 1:12.113 29
Jacques Villeneuve BMW Sauber V8 M 1:12.619 78
Ricardo Zonta Toyota V8 B 1:12.660 88
Valentino Rossi Ferrari B 1:12.856 52
David Coulthard Red Bull Racing V8 M 1:12.883 36
Alex Wurz Williams V8 B 1:12.925 82
Gary Paffett McLaren V10 M 1:12.937 116
Mark Webber Williams V8 B 1:13.050 67
Jarno Trulli Toyota V8 B 1:13.076 105

[DJ Down Under]

Rossi F1 test pics...

http://www.motorsport.com/photos/f1/2006/gen/f1-2006-gen-xp-0711.jpg

http://www.motorsport.com/photos/f1/2006/gen/f1-2006-gen-xp-0754.jpg

http://www.motorsport.com/photos/f1/2006/gen/f1-2006-gen-xp-0692.jpg

http://www.motorsport.com/photos/f1/2006/gen/f1-2006-gen-xp-0788.jpg

[Dallara]

Well, DJ...

First of all, I wouldn't say Rossi "embarassed" himself. Not by a long shot. Spinning an F-1 car is actually pretty easy to do, especially in the wet...

Don't believe me?

Just look at the F-1 drivers up at the front of the championship last year that tossed cars down the road... All of them, Alonzo, Raikonnen, and Schumacher included.

That said...

9th quickest in the group you posted is actually WORSE than it looks. Rossi was in the more powerful and higher downforce 2004 3.0 liter V-10 Ferrari, whereas nearly everyone on that list was in the 2006-spec, lower downforce chassis, 2.4 liter V-8 cars with much less horsepower, particularly at this stage of development. Only one of McLaren's test drivers - Gary Paffett - was in a similar spec V-10 car to the Ferrari Rossi was using.

Now, does this mean I discount Rossi's effort or potential?

Not in the slightest. It takes even the very best a lot of acclimation time to come to terms with the level of performance of the modern day F-1 car... Especially the incredible braking capability.

Rossi will get there, and I personally believe will be a future Formula One World Champion.

Cheers!

Allan (Dallara)

[Deans BMW]

Bob, NTGM, just E Mailed and he said that Rossi was kind of cute............

http://www.motorsport.com/photos/f1/2006/gen/f1-2006-gen-xp-0711.jpg

[jamming]

:058: :037:
Your killing me Dean....
Roger