Valentino Rossi to drive for team Italy in A1GP ?

[FourWheelDrift]

So the rumours go.

Autosport said:

Multiple MotoGP champion Valentino Rossi could make his long-awaited single-seater racing debut in the coming season of A1GP.

A1GP Team Italy have confirmed that negotiations over a drive have taken place with Rossi, but his availability is likely to be limited by his winter testing programme with Yamaha.

Team Italy seat holder Piercarlo Ghinzani made no secret of his desire to encourage Rossi on board.

"It would be a fantastic situation to have him," he said. "I am a friend of Valentino's and we have spoken about it."

A1GP chairman Tony Teixeira believes the seven-time MotoGP champion would do well in the series.

"Rossi, we're looking at him and I think he'd do a good job too," Teixeira told autosport.com.

Rossi, currently leading the MotoGP standings, has also proven his speed on four wheel in the past, having driven for Ferrari in a Formula One can and also having competed in the Word Rally Championship.

That's a very close series he'll either shine or sink.

[Furyous]

Cant see Yamaha allowing it TBH.

A play in Schueys car is one thing, a competitive drive in a rival series ?

Unlikely I would say.

[deevlash]

Furyous said:

Cant see Yamaha allowing it TBH.

A play in Schueys car is one thing, a competitive drive in a rival series ?

Unlikely I would say.

A1gp engines and cars supplied by Ferrari for next year though, Ferrari are owned by Fiat and Fiat sponsor...

[Furyous]

I hear you....

Still think it would at best unwise.

A year on,then maybe.

This could realistically be Vale's last chance to win the title.

[FourWheelDrift]

Furyous said:

This could realistically be Vale's last chance to win the title.

Remember the A1GP is run when MotoGP and all other big series have finished for the year. (September - January) he wouldn't have to do all the races as they can swap drivers since it's a country series. He could do the Sepang round in November, especially if it's around the same time as a Yamaha test session at the same circuit, which he already knows as well from MotoGP.

But I do think it's less than a 25% chance.

[Furyous]

Point taken, I think your odds are about right though.

[Shuvi]

What kind of "We're making it up", reporting is that?

Every other mention of this I've seen, makes it clear that Rossi ain't gonna be in A1GP. Slow news day at Autosport?

Rossi had signed another 2 year deal with Yam' before that story was published.




Edit for clarity.

Edited by Shuvi on Saturday 26th July 04:55