MotoGP legend tests for Ferrari

Valentino Rossi thinks he could get to the top in F1. The MotoGP world champion made the claim after testing for Ferrari at Mugello on Thursday.

Rossi has tested in a Ferrari before, and proved his four-wheeled prowess by finishing second at the Rally of Monza - an event he has won before - last week.

The Italian completed 30 laps of Mugello in an F2008, recording a fastest time of 1:22.5 before bad weather curtailed the session. That’s almost two seconds off the pace of Kimi Raikkonen and Felipe Massa.

“The times we did in Fiorano, here and in Valencia have been analysed and with some good hard work and lots of effort I could become a good Formula One driver,” said Rossi.

“It’s difficult to say whether or not I would win, but the potential is definitely there.” 

He certainly doesn’t lack confidence. Do you think he’s got what it takes to make it in F1? We reckon Seb Loeb would have a much better chance.

Crasher bonus! Watch footage of Mr Rossi’s Ferrari test below:

Motorbike legend keen on another four-wheeled foray

Valentino Rossi is in talks with Ferrari about a possible F1 test. The Italian has tested in a Ferrari twice before, in 2005 and 2006, but he decided to stick with two wheels - he won the MotoGP championship this season.

“We are working on it, it can happen,” Rossi said. “However, we don’t know yet whether we will and on what day. We’ll know something after the end of the F1 Championship.”

However, Kimi Raikkonen and Felipe Massa’s seats are safe. Rossi has no intention of getting off his bike.

“It’s just for fun,” he said. “I’m happy if they let me try it again, because I miss it a bit. However there’s no other ambition, because I signed a contract for two more years for Yamaha. It will just be for passion and I think Valentino Rossi with Ferrari is fun for Italy.”

Gridcrasher bonus! Watch a video of Rossi’s previous Ferrari test:

It’s the first lady of MotoGP

Ever wanted to marry a celebrity? Why not go and ask them for their autograph? A young lady from Adelaide  named Adriana Tuchyna did exactly that to former MotoGP World Champion Casey Stoner in 2003, and four years later they were walking down the aisle together. It’s really that easy.

Goateed half of Brangelina reveals hero worship of MotoGP star

Take a guess… who does Brad Pitt idolise above any other? His wife… his kids, perhaps… best mate George Clooney… President-in-waiting Barack Obama, even? No, you’re not even close, which is a little worrying given that we told you in the headline. Oh, the photo above gives you a fairly decent clue, too.

Yes, Brad worships at the altar of MotoGP legend Valentino Rossi. In a recent interview with Riders Italian magazine, the actor said:

Spot the “most available” GG…

These charming fillies were snapped at the recent MotoGP event in Indianapolis. For some reason, we’re drawn to the one who has “forgotten” to pull up her braces (or suspenders, if you’re reading this in America). Could she wear those shorts any lower?

A couple more pics this way…

Misano’s finest

More grid girls after the jump…

A cavalcade of paddock talent

Grid Crasher brings you the hottest talent from the first half of the 2008 MotoGP season.

More pit babes after the jump…

Honda won’t like that

Nicky Hayden won’t compete at this weekend’s Czech MotoGP after damaging his ankle during the recent X-Games. Hayden injured his right heel after landing heavily following a jump during practice for the Supermoto event.

The American rider, a former MotoGP world champ, had been given special permission from his Honda bosses to take part in the event - bet they wish they’d turned down his request.

“I just wanted to do some riding during the break, have some fun and I thought that maybe it’d give me a little spark for the rest of the season, but it backfired on me,” Hayden said, more sheepishly than a sheepish sheep.