Moto3: Rossi's half-brother set for wild-card debut?

Luca Marini rumoured to be in line for a debut Moto3 appearance at the San Marino Grand Prix.

05 Mar 2013

Luca Marini, San Marino MotoGP 2009
© Gold and Goose

By Lisa Lewis

Valentino Rossi's half-brother Luca Marini could be set for his World Championship debut, with rumours of a wild-card at Misano circulating in the Italian and Spanish press.

The 15-year-old is currently signed to Team Twelve Racing in the Italian CIV Championship.

According to both Italian sport paper Tuttosport and Spanish website Marca.com the teenager will be using Team Italia's 2012 FTR Honda which Romano Fenati rode in Moto3 last season and took to four podiums, including a victory at Jerez.

Though currently not old enough to compete in grand prix, Marini turns 16 on August 10th ahead of the rumoured ride at the San Marino Grand Prix on September 15th.

Both news sources add that following a recent rain and wind spoiled test in Valencia, where the youngster said he used the weather interference to "study physics in my free time", Team Twelve are also considering racing their signing in the Spanish CEV and European Championships.

The 2011 Italian 80cc MiniGP Champion often trains at Rossi's 'MotoRanch' on Saturdays, using a Honda CRF 250.