Bob
3rd February 2006, 01:23
Valentino Rossi put in a strong performance in testing with Ferrari, finishing in 9th place out of 15 drivers – and we are talking F1 regulars here.
Rossi set a best lap of 1:12.851, little more than a second slower than Michael Schumacher in the new V8-powered 248 car.
However, it should be borne in mind that Rossi was driving an F2004 with a V10 engine. If this engine was “unlimited”, then direct comparisons are difficult, but if it was rev-limited (2006 regulations allow for the use of a V10 as long as it is limited to a level comparable to the new V8s), then this is an impressive performance.
"It was a very good performance, we cannot deny it," said a Ferrari spokesman. "People who said that yesterday was a flop (Rossi span out on his first lap in a wet session and was made to sit out the rest of the day), today changed their mind."
Leading times (1 February) - Valencia:
1. Fernando Alonso Renault-Renault 1m 11.229s
2. Jenson Button Honda-Honda 1m 11.332s
3. Michael Schumacher Ferrari-Ferrari 1m 11.814s 71
4. Juan Montoya McLaren-Mercedes 1m 11.978s 68
5. Rubens Barrichello Honda-Honda 1m 12.063s 115
6. Heikki Kovalainen Renault-Renault 1m 12.122s 32
7. Jacques Villeneuve BMW-Sauber 1m 12.622s 75
8. Ricardo Zonta Toyota-Toyota 1m 12.668s 78
9. Valentino Rossi Ferrari-Ferrari 1m 12.851s 53
10. David Coulthard Red Bull-Ferrari 1m 12.891s
11. Alex Wurz Williams-Cosworth 1m 12.925s
12. Gary Paffett McLaren-Mercedes 1m 12.937s
13. Mark Webber Williams-Cosworth 1m 13.050s
14. Jarno Trulli Toyota-Toyota 1m 13.075s
15. Robert Kubica BMW-Sauber 1m 13.353s
Rossi set a best lap of 1:12.851, little more than a second slower than Michael Schumacher in the new V8-powered 248 car.
However, it should be borne in mind that Rossi was driving an F2004 with a V10 engine. If this engine was “unlimited”, then direct comparisons are difficult, but if it was rev-limited (2006 regulations allow for the use of a V10 as long as it is limited to a level comparable to the new V8s), then this is an impressive performance.
"It was a very good performance, we cannot deny it," said a Ferrari spokesman. "People who said that yesterday was a flop (Rossi span out on his first lap in a wet session and was made to sit out the rest of the day), today changed their mind."
Leading times (1 February) - Valencia:
1. Fernando Alonso Renault-Renault 1m 11.229s
2. Jenson Button Honda-Honda 1m 11.332s
3. Michael Schumacher Ferrari-Ferrari 1m 11.814s 71
4. Juan Montoya McLaren-Mercedes 1m 11.978s 68
5. Rubens Barrichello Honda-Honda 1m 12.063s 115
6. Heikki Kovalainen Renault-Renault 1m 12.122s 32
7. Jacques Villeneuve BMW-Sauber 1m 12.622s 75
8. Ricardo Zonta Toyota-Toyota 1m 12.668s 78
9. Valentino Rossi Ferrari-Ferrari 1m 12.851s 53
10. David Coulthard Red Bull-Ferrari 1m 12.891s
11. Alex Wurz Williams-Cosworth 1m 12.925s
12. Gary Paffett McLaren-Mercedes 1m 12.937s
13. Mark Webber Williams-Cosworth 1m 13.050s
14. Jarno Trulli Toyota-Toyota 1m 13.075s
15. Robert Kubica BMW-Sauber 1m 13.353s