Valentino Rossi Rally GB test: states that a switch to WRC may be possible after his MotoGP career ends

Written by Scott Coursey WRC Nov 14, 2008

valentino rossi ford focus wrc Valentino Rossi Rally GB test: states that a switch to WRC may be possible after his MotoGP career ends

Image: Massimo Bettiol/rallylink.it

Valentino Rossi was testing the M-Sport prepared Ford Focus RS WRC 07 (Rossi pictured above in the car testing for this weekend's Monza Rally Show) this week at Greystoke forest in preparation for Wales Rally GB.

Rossi tested for five hours covering about 80km and he was able to complete some mileage in the dark. He said that his goal for the event would be to first of all finish the event, and also to try and beat his best WRC finish which was 11th o/a on Rally New Zealand 2006.

The car will be carrying decals to support the BBC Children in Need appeal on Rally GB.

Rossi explained to wrc.com that a switch to rallying may be possible after MotoGP:

I think it is possible when I finish with bikes. I don’t know, I haven’t decided yet. Anyway, I have another two years contract. After that we will see.”

The Italian describes what the feeling is like to be back in the forests:

It’s a great emotion for me because it’s been a long time since I’ve driven a car in the mud. We start today with the test here in the forest, next week we race in Monza in Italy and after we try on the Rally in Wales in December.

Rossi compares the Focus to the Subaru Impreza WRC he used in NZ in '06 and states his targets for Raally GB:

It feels quite different to that. The new control tyre feels different too. But the car is very fast and the engine pushes a lot so I had a good feeling from the beginning.”

My first target is to try to finish the race. In New Zealand I arrived at 11th so we will try to improve on that result a little bit.”