Valentino Rossi’s last day of testing with the Ferrari F2008 was hampered by a heavy fog in the morning that left the Montmelò circuit damp, so the Italian hit the track with intermediate tires trying to get as much track time as possible.

In the afternoon the sun finally broke cover drying out the track and allowing the Ferrari mechanics to mount slick tires on the car. Valentino clocked up 74 laps and a fastest time of 1’21”88 on his penultimate lap of the day.

Rossi’s test was also followed by Ferrari’s Felipe Massa who will be testing on Friday. Massa is returning to F1 this season, following his near fatal accident during qualifying for the 2009 Hungarian Grand Prix.

“Today we hoped to run in the dry, but we had to fit wet tyres again this morning,” said Rossi “I was faster than yesterday despite some problems with under-steering. We kept the last three quarters of an hour to try a ‘time attack’ with little petrol and fresh tyres. I would have given anything for such a lap time.”.

“I haven’t driven an F1 car for a year, but today we worked on the setting. It’s always interesting to go a little further than just driving. I think it’s nice for Italian fans to see me driving a Ferrari. On the other hand, I must say that Montmeló is even more fun than Mugello. It’s more fun here, because it’s a little bit easier. It’s more effort in Mugello, but this track here is really wonderful, with motorbikes and cars, although I have to say that turn 10 is a little tight (the one with the spins) and you’re braking much later.”

Source | ferrari.com

(no votes)

0 comments