Grapevine: Rossi eager to test F1 car again

The Italian will test for the Maranello squad today and tomorrow at the Mugello circuit, in what will be his return to the wheel of a grand prix car for the first time since 2005.

The six-time MotoGP champion is eager to test the car to see how much F1 has changed in three years.

"I can't wait to try the F2008 to see how much F1 cars have changed compared to my previous tests," Rossi was quoted as saying by Autosprint.

"I will get inside and F1 without traction control for the first time. I'm very curious, I think it will take me a bigger effort to drive, even though Massa and Raikkonen this year have set times very close to the ones set with traction control. So the difference shouldn't be big.

"In 2005 I went quick: compared with equal conditions, I ran within 1.2 seconds of Schumacher's laptimes. Let's say that I'll be very happy if this time I can limit the gap down to one second.

"On a track like Mugello, it wouldn't be bad at all. I just hope the weather will be good, in order to have the opportunity to do a real test, in order to evaluate how quick I can be."

He added: "Driving an F1 car to the limit gives you unique sensations, comparable to the ones you get when riding a MotoGP bike to the maximum. I've always liked the precise driving an F1 car needs to be taken to its limit. All this is combined with impressive cornering speed, and this gives you a special pleasure.

"Obviously with bikes the pleasure comes from a more physical handling, while in rallying the fun comes from a rougher driving style.

"In any case, my natural environment is the track: that's where I have the most experience, while driving on public roads is very different and it requires a certain amount of adapting to it. Knowing Mugello well, having always ran there with MotoGP, will be of great help for the test with Ferrari, despite your reference points changing completely with an F1 car.

Rossi, who has a contract with Yamaha until 2010, hinted again that he would like to try rallying when he retires from bikes, admitting he would be too old to start an F1 career at 31.

"It's a bit too old to get a debut in F1, where I think I have no more chances, unlike in rallying."