Could Valentino Rossi Drive F1 Full Time?
Discussion
Yes I know he has tested the prancing donkey a Few times, with some amazingly PR spec lap times, but looking at his other 4 wheeled exploits, he looks like he can peddle a car fairly well.
But my question, do people generally think he could do a full season, and what pace do people think he would be around??
But my question, do people generally think he could do a full season, and what pace do people think he would be around??
Steffan said:
Only one driver succeeded in both sports. John Surtees.
Mike Hailwood was utterly unbeatable on bikes. Good in F1 but not great. Very brave man and a very tragic death.
Rossi clearly is gifted exceptionally on bikes. On cars? Who knows.
It would have been interesting to have seen Stuart Graham in an F1 car at his peak, he was fairly handy on 2 and 4 wheels and still places well when he races sports cars at the revivalMike Hailwood was utterly unbeatable on bikes. Good in F1 but not great. Very brave man and a very tragic death.
Rossi clearly is gifted exceptionally on bikes. On cars? Who knows.
He's chance has been and gone unfortunely. Many people involved in F1 said that he could have been successfull. Didn't he lap the Ferrari test track in under a minute which was the benchmark for a bloody quick time? I'm sure I read that, possibly in his autobiography. Apart from attracting sponsorship and brand exposure I don't believe he would be of value to Ferrari anymore in terms of pace. Too many up and coming drivers to pick from.
He could be very very good in sportscars or maybe Indycar if it took his fancy, but F1 is such a specialised area these days that it takes years of prep (ready to be shot down, but I think Kimi & Massa were the last ones that just dropped in).
Shame because I wish the multi talented drivers were still able to do F1
Shame because I wish the multi talented drivers were still able to do F1
Edited by courageous on Friday 13th April 21:56
He's 33, that's the age Damon Hill got into F1.
Unfortunately the amount of testing he would get would make it very difficult for him.
And Ferrari are hardly in a position to take such a big risk on a driver. Sure it would get big headlines but any boost that gave would last about a nano-second if he was tooling around at two seconds off the pace.
Unfortunately the amount of testing he would get would make it very difficult for him.
And Ferrari are hardly in a position to take such a big risk on a driver. Sure it would get big headlines but any boost that gave would last about a nano-second if he was tooling around at two seconds off the pace.
bigbadbikercats said:
Mr_Thyroid said:
He's 33, that's the age Damon Hill got into F1.
And of course in a neat return to the original posting was a very promising 'bike racer before turning to cars....EDLT said:
bigbadbikercats said:
Mr_Thyroid said:
He's 33, that's the age Damon Hill got into F1.
And of course in a neat return to the original posting was a very promising 'bike racer before turning to cars....Rossi can drive F1 full time. But he'd emabarrass himself more than he is on the Ducati!
I'm thinking, taking into account as many variables, the earliest title he could've won was '92, taking '93 as well. By that time, it might not have been necessary for Williams to hire Mansell and Prost.
TheHeretic said:
Impressive when you think he went on to be F1WDC. I wonder how he would have been if racing from an early age?
Thinking about this question. Had Hill had a "normal" car racing career and broke into F1 at 25 (1986), had Hill managed to get a drive with a top team, sometime after it, would he have been able to nick a title off Prost, Piquet, Senna or Mansell? I'm thinking, taking into account as many variables, the earliest title he could've won was '92, taking '93 as well. By that time, it might not have been necessary for Williams to hire Mansell and Prost.
With regards to the difference between motorbicycles, and f1 cars, would the whole 'neck muscle' thing be an issue. I'm not a biker, but do they have such loads going through their necks? Would Rossie be able to put a full race in without substantial training for muscles he does not use?
TheHeretic said:
With regards to the difference between motorbicycles, and f1 cars, would the whole 'neck muscle' thing be an issue. I'm not a biker, but do they have such loads going through their necks? Would Rossie be able to put a full race in without substantial training for muscles he does not use?
Think about that, 6g into the bends while holding onto a bike.... i doubt SB's pull even 1gA 75kg rider would become 500kg's, have to be fooking strong to hold on
Edited by superkartracer on Saturday 14th April 15:21
Rossi lapped Fiorano within a few tents of Schumacher Iirc, but felt he didn't have those extra tenths...he'll be a great GT racer though. I saw him on Rally NZ in 2006...very impressive and was leading the Mystery Creek super special at one stage, but again, unlikely to have what it takes to win a WRC rally..
superkartracer said:
Think about that, 6g into the bends while holding onto a bike.... i doubt SB's pull even 1g
A 75kg rider would become 500kg's, have to be fooking strong to hold on
Yeah, but the direction of the force is completely different, hence the different muscles. A 75kg rider would become 500kg's, have to be fooking strong to hold on
Edited by superkartracer on Saturday 14th April 15:21
TheHeretic said:
With regards to the difference between motorbicycles, and f1 cars, would the whole 'neck muscle' thing be an issue. I'm not a biker, but do they have such loads going through their necks? Would Rossie be able to put a full race in without substantial training for muscles he does not use?
MotoGP bikes pull something like 1 to 1.5 G on the brakes. As a result Rossi would have to get in training for his neck to be able to cope. I imagine it would be doable as it isn't like he is coming from an unfit starting point.Gassing Station | General Motorsport | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff