To stay in MotoGPWorld motorcycling Champion Valentino Rossi said Wednesday he would be sticking to two wheels and not joining the Ferrari team to race in Formula One.
"I will continue, at least for some time more, to race motorbikes," the 27-year-old seven time world
champion told the official ANSA news agency.
"My friends at Ferrari gave me the chance to do some car testing. That was a fantastic experience both technically and personally but I think that my work on the motorbike is not finished and I'm still very motivated."
The Italian, whose contract with Yamaha runs out at the end of the year, is having a hard time of it this season, lying eighth in the MotoGP standings after five races.
Michael Schumacher said he was disappointed to hear Rossi would not be joining him at Ferrari. "In a way we are sad not to see him here, but on the other side it is understandable because he knows what he has in his world," the German said in Monaco while preparing for Sunday's Grand Prix.
The seven time World Champion added: "It is maybe a little bit more difficult to know the world of Formula One and how you would adapt to different circumstances. I think he has a lot of talent in terms of driving, but it is not only in terms of driving. It is sad but that's the way it is."
Rossi's decision throws wide open again the contest for seats at Ferrari next year.
Schumacher may retire - whether or not he wins an eighth title this year - and several drivers including Finn
Kimi Raikkonen, now with McLaren-Mercedes- Benz, are in the running to either replace him or partner him.
Schumacher's Ferrari team chief Jean Todt, who had given careful and serious consideration to signing Rossi, said he had been impressed with him at the wheel of a Formula One car. He said: "It was a pleasure giving him a chance to try out a Ferrari racing car," said Todt. "All those who worked with him were struck by his ability to adapt to Formula One, by his talent and courtesy.
"Now we will follow with great affection his MotoGP challenge, hoping that he can get what he so richly deserves."
But while Ferrari put on a dignified face at the news, defending World Champion Spaniard
Fernando Alonso was scathing in his criticism. The Renault driver, who is leaving for McLaren at the end of the year, has always maintained that the Italian motorcyclist was wasting Ferrari's time.
He told reporters: "Good. We don't talk anything more about him. After four months, maybe this is the last question (I face about him)."
Source AFP
