When Valentino Rossi took a ride in an F1 car

Italian motorcycle legend Valentino Rossi has just retired. To pay tribute to him, FanF1 looks back at his test drives in an F1 car.

Twenty-six seasons at the top of MotoGP speak volumes about Valentino Rossi's longevity. After winning nine world championships, 115 victories, and 235 podium finishes in 423 starts, the Italian legend has finally hung up his helmet.

“The Doctor” left his mark in every motorcycle category he competed in, but he also tried his hand at Formula 1. In 2004, he got behind the wheel of a Ferrari on the Fiorano test track. “It was an incredibly exciting day. Driving an F1 car was a unique experience, and it was amazing to follow in Schumacher's footsteps, even if it was only for a day. I am grateful to Ferrari for giving me this opportunity,” recalls Rossi. Close to a permanent position After his first laps at Fiorano, Ferrari invited him back in 2005 for more tests on the same circuit, then included him in the 2006 pre-season program at the Ricardo Tormo circuit in Valencia. Even with a restricted V10 and reduced power, his times were impressive, just slightly slower than Michael Schumacher's (Schumacher 1:11.640, Rossi 1:12.362). These performances could have earned him a full-time seat in F1, but he declined the offer.

“At that time, there were a lot of private tests, which gave drivers the opportunity to show their talent if they really wanted a seat in F1. I enjoyed that day in Valencia with Ferrari, it was wonderful. But I didn't have the heart to give up motorcycling. I still thought I had some good years ahead of me, and switching to F1 was a big risk. I've never regretted it. In fact, I won two more world titles after that,” he said. Former Ferrari team principal Stefano Domenicali understood his choice. “Vale would have been an excellent F1 driver, but he chose a different path.”

After Ferrari, Rossi joins Mercedes Although he turned down a permanent position at Ferrari, the Scuderia still offered Rossi two more test drives in 2010, at Mugello and Barcelona. Nine years later, the nine-time MotoGP world champion got behind the wheel of a 2017 Mercedes W08. On this occasion, he also handed his Yamaha over to Lewis Hamilton for a lap of the Ricardo Tormo circuit in Valencia.

“Testing the W08 was an extraordinary opportunity. I had already driven an F1 car, but it had evolved considerably. I was impressed by the car's handling and by the Mercedes team, who gave me an incredible welcome and helped me adapt quickly. The feeling of speed was extraordinary; once I found my rhythm, I was really able to push. I felt like a real F1 driver for a day and I didn't want it to end,” said Rossi.