Moto GP

[Rev004]

Rossi interviews Ferrari F1 chief for official magazine
Tuesday, 10 March 2009

Having definitively ruled out a move to Formula 1 in recent years MotoGP World Champion Valentino Rossi was still delighted to spend some time with the Ferrari F1 team over the 2008-09 off season.


Six time MotoGP title winner Valentino Rossi has been enjoying himself with various activities over the off-season having recaptured his MotoGP crown in 2008.

A keen fan of four-wheeled competition the Italian participated in the World Rally Championship again over the winter, finishing a respectable 12th in WRC Wales event December – shortly after enjoying another test drive with Ferrari at the end of November.

The private test at Mugello in the Ferrari F2008 car, as driven by Felipe Massa and Kimi Raikkonen last year, was a gift to Rossi in acknowledgement of his MotoGP triumph in 2008 – and the experience was one which The Doctor enjoyed immensely.

Although fully committed to Yamaha Factory Racing, Rossi has a contract to ride in MotoGP with Fiat Yamaha for the 2009 and 2010 World Championships and at 30 years-old has plenty of goals ahead of him on two wheels, the legendary rider has a great rapport with Ferrari and is friendly with Ferrari F1 Team Principal Stefano Domenicali.

Taking on the new role as interviewer, as opposed to interviewee, in a recent article for the Official Ferrari Magazine, Rossi first gave his own opinions on the differences between driving a rally car, an F1 car and handling his 800cc MotoGP Yamaha M1 prototype, before turning the microphone on Domenicali.

Rossi stated, “Thereâ€s no comparison. You donâ€t get tired in a rally. You have to stay in the car for several hours, you have to get up early in the morning, but you absolutely never get tired. In Formula 1 the problem is your neck. If youâ€re not used to it, it hurts. But riding a motorbike is extremely tiring: you have to drive with your body, thereâ€s never a momentâ€s peace.”

Domenicali who impressively has eight F1 World Constructors†Titles and Six Drivers†Titles on his CV, was then urged by Rossi to give his gives on MotoGP and asked if he watches the races.

Domenicali said, “Iâ€ve always watched motorcycle racing, ever since I was small and I still watch it now. I like the spirit of motorcycle racing; itâ€s a bit outrageous, and a little of that spirit wouldnâ€t do any harm in Formula 1.”

“Thereâ€s no doubt we have more fun. In the motorbike paddock it is very different,” asserted Rossi. At which Domenicali responded: “Thereâ€s no doubt one of our immediate priorities is to pay more attention to those who come to the racetrack and experience the event onsite. Formula One canâ€t just be TV.”

“Perhaps thatâ€s why (Seven-time former F1 World Champion and Ferrari driver) Michael Schumacher has begun to race motorcycles,” Rossi suggested with a typical smile.

Domenicali did not miss his chance to put the MotoGP icon on the spot, as he asked, “So, as someone who knows them both, would Schumacher go faster in MotoGP or you in Formula 1?” As confident as ever in his own remarkable talents, Rossi announced, “Me, of course!”



Denning: “2009 GSV-R an improvement on last yearâ€s”
Tuesday, 10 March 2009

Suzuki boss hails new prototype as more consistent and easier to ride.


Suzuki came out swinging at the opening test of 2009 in Malaysia and, although riders Loris Capirossi and Chris Vermeulen werenâ€t quite as close to the top of the timesheet at last weekâ€s visit to Qatar, Team Manager Paul Denning feels that a definite improvement to the GSV-R has been made.

“The bike is more consistent and easier to ride, so itâ€s an improvement on last year,” stated Denning upon the conclusion of the night riding in Losail. “We have a base, and that is the most important thing to have.

“Sure, we werenâ€t as competitive as in Malaysia, but this test still wasnâ€t too bad. Weâ€re closer to the front than before, so itâ€s a case of not being happy but satisfied.”

The Qatar test saw both riders in the top six but also in the gravel, courtesy of minor crashes on a tricky surface. Denning brushed off their troubles when explaining what Suzukiâ€s workload focus was for the three available days, joking that “here we are just testing how strong the riders are from crashing. Seriously though, on a technical level the test served as a confirmation, checking things that we had tried at Sepang.”

Suzuki will be working on improving engine acceleration at the upcoming final preseason test in Jerez, with Capirossi and Vermeulen keen for more pace on the straights.


Toseland takes in Yamaha success at Daytona
Wednesday, 11 March 2009

James Toseland was in Florida last weekend, enjoying a Yamaha triumph in the annual Daytona 200 race.


Having endured a tough preseason so far and having worked constantly on his physical fitness over the winter, James Toseland took a well deserved break last weekend as he visited the United States to watch the Daytona 200 race.

Toseland spent time meeting with Yamaha USA management and with staff from his personal leather suppliers BKS, who will be remodeling his livery this season to incorporate the new colours and logos of the Monster Yamaha Tech 3 team.

The English MotoGP star enjoyed Friday nightâ€s racing, witnessing a one-two success story for Yamaha, as Ben Bostrom crossed the line first and his team-mate Josh Herrin followed him home in second place at the end of the 200 mile contest.

Satellite Yamaha rider Toseland will be back in the States later this year for the Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix at Laguna Seca on the 3rd-5th July weekend and the Red Bull Indianapolis Grand Prix on the 28th-30th August weekend.


Brivio: “Weâ€re not ready for Qatar… yet”
Tuesday, 10 March 2009

Fiat Yamaha Team Manager indicates that Jerez test is all that is required.


The 2009 Yamaha M1, revamped with a new engine and electronics, appears from the timing sheets to be almost in race shape as rider Valentino Rossi looks to defend his MotoGP World Championship crown.

The bike got its latest runout in Qatar last week, at which Rossiâ€s Team Manager Davide Brivio indicated that the final test of the preseason will be all that is needed to complete the preparation of the machine.

“Weâ€re not ready yet for the first race in Qatar, but we still have another test to go in Jerez. We basically have one full day there, and the second one will be a half day,” said Brivio after the Losail test, itself effectively reduced to two nights after rain hit the track.

“It is also important to check the bike and the electronics at the next test. Sure, Qatar isnâ€t one of our best circuits, but we should be ready.”

Rossi has not won the opening race of a MotoGP season since 2005, when he took victory at the Jerez circuit from pole position.