Rossi to Ferrari ? (Rossi will not move to Ferrari in '07)

<T-K> · Post by **<T-K>** » Tue Aug 30, 2005 6:51 pm

The Valentino Rossi-to-Ferrari story is more than mere speculation, if you believe the claims of an Italian newspaper.

La Repubblica said on Monday that the MotoGP champion was all set to switch to four wheels and race onto the grand prix grid alongside Kimi Raikkonen in the 2007 season.

The newspaper did not give a source but cited a staggering $33 million per year for the flamboyant 26 year old rider, who is already the highest paid sportsman in all of Italy.

He would race a Ferrari for an initial three year period, La Repubblica added. The deal would put into context Felipe Massa's unusual (for Ferrari) one year contract for 2006, speculation linking Michael Schumacher with a Ferrari split, and Rossi's alleged reluctance to ride with Ferrari cigarette sponsor Marlboro's rival - Gauloises - in the MotoGP series.

La Repubblica said Marlboro owner Altria had even asked Rossi to sever all ties with Gauloises - owned by Altadis - for the start of next season.

Ferrari boss Jean Todt, meanwhile - an open admirer of Raikkonen - leapt on gossip that a deal with the McLaren driver had also been struck.

''Just because a young driver has a lot of talent,'' the Frenchman said, ''you cannot say he has signed with Ferrari.''

Kapel · Post by **Kapel** » Tue Aug 30, 2005 7:09 pm

Oh now i'm also getting a headache

Julian Mayo · Post by **Julian Mayo** » Tue Aug 30, 2005 7:24 pm

Well, Todt has given the game away with that statement!!

Kapel · Post by **Kapel** » Tue Aug 30, 2005 7:55 pm

Things could change again if Schumi decides to race after 2006.Decision would be made by him in March next year.

Julian Mayo · Post by **Julian Mayo** » Tue Aug 30, 2005 8:13 pm

Kapel wrote:Things could change again if Schumi decides to race after 2006.Decision would be made by him in March next year.

It may be made for him, Kappy. I understand they are a tad shell shocked by Barrichellos departure, and some important people are blaming Schuey

danilen1 · Post by **danilen1** » Tue Aug 30, 2005 8:31 pm

Raikkonen and Rossi both at Ferrari in 2007.. Maybe this will mark the end of their 1st driver policy. It could be very exciting to see them both driving for ferrari in 2007, but if they dont get their act together soon, neither driver is gonna want to drive for ferrari lol.

I doubt you can believe something in the press about contracts for 2007, the drivers don't even know whats going to happen as of yet. Look at the mess... Schuey might stay for 2007, Massa might be very good and get an extension, Ferrari might slump furthur down the grid - Raikkonen wont be interested in leaving McClaren and Rossi... well hes a bit of a psychopath (in the nicest way) so he could do anything

Julian Mayo · Post by **Julian Mayo** » Tue Aug 30, 2005 9:22 pm

danilen1 wrote:Raikkonen and Rossi both at Ferrari in 2007.. Maybe this will mark the end of their 1st driver policy. It could be very exciting to see them both driving for ferrari in 2007, but if they dont get their act together soon, neither driver is gonna want to drive for ferrari lol.

I doubt you can believe something in the press about contracts for 2007, the drivers don't even know whats going to happen as of yet. Look at the mess... Schuey might stay for 2007, Massa might be very good and get an extension, Ferrari might slump furthur down the grid - Raikkonen wont be interested in leaving McClaren and Rossi... well hes a bit of a psychopath (in the nicest way) so he could do anything

Rossi is a brilliant rider who has developed a nasty habit of bumping people off if he can't overtake legitimately. Perhaps he is tailor made as Schuy's successor

Kapel · Post by **Kapel** » Tue Aug 30, 2005 9:50 pm

With No.1 status

& team orders

<T-K> · Post by **<T-K>** » Tue Aug 30, 2005 9:58 pm

They wouldnt just make something like this up......Would they???

<T-K> wrote: The newspaper did not give a source but cited a staggering $33 million per year for the flamboyant 26 year old rider

And they do pose a good argument with this statement...

<T-K> wrote:The deal would put into context Felipe Massa's unusual (for Ferrari) one year contract for 2006,

Who knows....

Byron Forbes · Post by **Byron Forbes** » Wed Aug 31, 2005 1:00 am

Well I can tell you this much for sure - if Ferrari sign a 2 wheeler for $33M then this will undoubtedly mark the end of a golden era for Ferrari. He simply wont be that good on 4 wheels unless he gets a lot of laps in lesser categories.

Julian Mayo · Post by **Julian Mayo** » Wed Aug 31, 2005 1:14 am

Kapel wrote:With No.1 status & team orders

As ever

danilen1 · Post by **danilen1** » Wed Aug 31, 2005 4:27 am

Byron Forbes wrote:Well I can tell you this much for sure - if Ferrari sign a 2 wheeler for $33M then this will undoubtedly mark the end of a golden era for Ferrari. He simply wont be that good on 4 wheels unless he gets a lot of laps in lesser categories.

mmn, u say that, but he tested at fiorano and was setting laps at only around a second over schumachers lap record... thats pretty quick lol, and im sure there are some drivers in f1 now who couldnt match that and they have been racing 4 wheels for years!

<T-K> · Post by **<T-K>** » Wed Aug 31, 2005 8:41 am

danilen1 wrote:
Byron Forbes wrote:Well I can tell you this much for sure - if Ferrari sign a 2 wheeler for $33M then this will undoubtedly mark the end of a golden era for Ferrari. He simply wont be that good on 4 wheels unless he gets a lot of laps in lesser categories.
mmn, u say that, but he tested at fiorano and was setting laps at only around a second over schumachers lap record... thats pretty quick lol, and im sure there are some drivers in f1 now who couldnt match that and they have been racing 4 wheels for years!

They might have put some extra chilli sauce on his burger at lunchtime....

Byron Forbes · Post by **Byron Forbes** » Wed Aug 31, 2005 3:08 pm

danilen1 wrote:
Byron Forbes wrote:Well I can tell you this much for sure - if Ferrari sign a 2 wheeler for $33M then this will undoubtedly mark the end of a golden era for Ferrari. He simply wont be that good on 4 wheels unless he gets a lot of laps in lesser categories.
mmn, u say that, but he tested at fiorano and was setting laps at only around a second over schumachers lap record... thats pretty quick lol, and im sure there are some drivers in f1 now who couldnt match that and they have been racing 4 wheels for years!

That is testing, that is one lap. Doing race distances with full fields is a tad different. There'd be no way I'd be throwing $33M at a total unknown on 4 wheels. I would bet he would blow races due to lack of experience at this, that and everything else for years.

The whole thing is about the dream of having an Italian Champion in a Ferrari - emotion instead of practicality. It will never work!

Julian Mayo · Post by **Julian Mayo** » Wed Aug 31, 2005 3:17 pm

Byron Forbes wrote:
danilen1 wrote:
Byron Forbes wrote:Well I can tell you this much for sure - if Ferrari sign a 2 wheeler for $33M then this will undoubtedly mark the end of a golden era for Ferrari. He simply wont be that good on 4 wheels unless he gets a lot of laps in lesser categories.
mmn, u say that, but he tested at fiorano and was setting laps at only around a second over schumachers lap record... thats pretty quick lol, and im sure there are some drivers in f1 now who couldnt match that and they have been racing 4 wheels for years!
That is testing, that is one lap. Doing race distances with full fields is a tad different. There'd be no way I'd be throwing $33M at a total unknown on 4 wheels. I would bet he would blow races due to lack of experience at this, that and everything else for years.

The whole thing is about the dream of having an Italian Champion in a Ferrari - emotion instead of practicality. It will never work!

With Rossi in a Ferrari, I am sure the sponsorship dollars will more than cover his wage bill.

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