Valentino Rossi has reignited the rumours about a possible switch from
MotoGP to
Formula One by admitting that he would be interested in piloting a third
Ferrari should company president Luca di Montezemolo get his way regarding future entries.
The seven-time world champion, known for his sense of humour, told an interview with Italy's
Gazzetta dello Sport that, despite having previously written off his chances of making the top flight on four wheels [
see story here], he would still consider an invitation to don the scarlet overalls. Clearly aware of his own limitations when it comes to F1, however, the Italian made no bones about who he would like to see as potential team-mates - and it doesn't make good reading for either
Felipe Massa or potential replacement Robert Kubica.
"For
Ferrari to make a team as strong as the Yamaha team [in MotoGP], it should hire
Sebastian Vettel alongside [Fernando] Alonso," 'Vale' commented, "And, if [Montezemolo is] currently looking for the opportunity [to run a] third car, he should give it... to me. I would like to explore the possibility of a third car for myself."
Rossi has tested with the Prancing Horse on numerous occasions, most recently at Barcelona's Circuit de Catalunya over the winter, and has posted competitive times, but admitted shortly afterwards that he found it hard to imagine himself racing alongside the likes of Vettel, Alonso and Michael Schumacher. Instead, the 31-year old continues to toy with the idea of taking up rallying on a more serious basis when his riding career ends - even if he believes reigning world champion Sebastien Loeb is near unbeatable.
"Rallying is an area that most needs change," he claimed, "It is going through a time of great crisis, and needs to have four or five manufacturers competing, not just two, running machines less sophisticated and expensive than the current
World Rally Cars. Maybe Super 2000, perhaps with turbos. However, whatever the cars, to beat Loeb, you need to be quick and consistent in every rally, as he is fast and makes no mistakes - unfortunately for everyone else..."