(GMM) Multiple MotoGP champion Valentino Rossi is on the verge of deciding to switch full time to F1 in 2007.
After the flamboyant Italian tested at the Valencia group test recently, the 'Motorcycle News' publication quoted a friend of Rossi's as saying that the 26-year-old is 'very close' to saying yes to Ferrari.
But just as the seriousness of his F1 foray escalates, Italy's La Gazzetta dello Sport newspaper said that Rossi's switch very much depends on what Michael Schumacher decides to do.
The press report said Maranello based Ferrari, undoubtedly interested in also signing Kimi Raikkonen, would not 'risk' taking on two entirely new drivers next year, if Schumacher finally retires.
La Gazzetta's article is the latest in a wave of new headlines speculating about Rossi's future, with F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone - for one - musing that it might be difficult for the rider to abandon his lucrative status on two wheels.
World champion Fernando Alonso, meanwhile, told the Spanish 'Sociedad Espanola de Radiodifusion' that he doesn't think Rossi is capable of winning in F1.
''He did do quite well (at Valencia),'' said the 24-year-old, ''but we don't know exactly what setting his (Ferrari V10) engine had.''
Written: Mon, 13 Feb 2006 13:09:11
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- (February 13, 2006)View all headlines from this date
