'Go to Ferrari' Graziano tells Valentino.
Valentino Rossi's father, Graziano, had added to the mounting pressure on his son's shoulders to make the move to Formula One.
Graziano, himself a former motorcycle grand prix rider in the late 70s and early 80s, told The Times that it would be "fantastic" if Valentino made the switch from MotoGP to Formula One in 2007 - adding that his son had been "fast from the first lap" during his Ferrari tests.
Valentino Rossi's father, Graziano, had added to the mounting pressure on his son's shoulders to make the move to Formula One.
Graziano, himself a former motorcycle grand prix rider in the late 70s and early 80s, told The Times that it would be "fantastic" if Valentino made the switch from MotoGP to Formula One in 2007 - adding that his son had been "fast from the first lap" during his Ferrari tests.
Having now spent a total of three days - split between two tests (one in April 2004 and one last month) - at Ferrari's Fiorano test track, the 'paper reports that Rossi already has two more tests lined-up - 'an unusual move if there is no intent'.
The upcoming tests are expected to be held at somewhere other than Fiorano, to build up a more accurate picture of the six-times world champion's four-wheel potential.
Speculation is mounting that Rossi, who will definitely race for Yamaha in MotoGP next season, will move to Ferrari in 2007.
At present, the Italian team has no drivers signed beyond 2006 and rumours suggest Rossi could partner Kimi Raikkonen, should Michael Schumacher either retire or switch teams.
The last Italian to win a Formula One World Championship in a Ferrari was Alberto Ascari back in 1953.
Peter has been in the paddock for 20 years and has seen Valentino Rossi come and go. He is at the forefront of the Suzuki exit story and Marc Marquez’s injury issues.
