Rossi has fun in Formula 1 and wins in car endurance

It’s Christmas before its time for Valentino Rossi: the nine-time world champion of the motorcycle Grand Prix has returned to the seat of a Formula 1 as part of a trade with Lewis Hamilton, before winning the 12H Abu Dhabi in its class at the wheel of a Ferrari 488 GT3 ! Explanations.

No chrono has filtered much publicized on the circuit of Valencia (Spain), only images handpicked by their common sponsor Monster and unsurprising comments as positive as … uninformative !

• MNC Live : Rossi, Hamilton silenced over MotoGP-F1 trade 
• MNC of December 9, 2019 : Rossi and Hamilton exchange prototype in Valencia 

Examples? Rossi says he "had a lot of fun" and was "genuinely impressed" after his laps of the Hamilton Mercedes Formula 1, in this case a "W08" version which led the Briton to the title in 2017. Admit that the opposite would have been frankly surprising ! 

The same was very positive for Lewis Hamilton after his experience on Rossi’s official M1: the six-time F1 world champion would even have "impressed" the boss of the official Yamaha team! “How many car champions could come here, get on an M1, hit the track and be proud of what they do?” Marvels Lin Jarvis..

MNC especially remembers that this exchange took place behind closed doors, under the, and that no quantified information came out of it: the event suddenly takes on the appearance of a promotional exhibition, a finding corroborated by certain video sequences below. above where the two pilots ride together to a train of senators…

An anecdote did filter through: Hamilton suffered a minor fall on the handlebars of the Yamaha, after failed braking. No problem for the F1 star who compares the acceleration of the Yamaha to that of a "rocket" but explains that its braking is "not as efficient as in F1".

Logical, Lewis: a MotoGP has two fewer wheels and moreover tires of much less width than a single-seater. That is to say as much less surface in contact with the ground !

Two Rossis on the podium at Yas Marina 

Valentino Rossi was a few days later on the Yas Marina circuit (Abu Dhabi) to participate in the endurance race of the "Gulf 12 Hours". The Italian, a great fan of motorsport and rallying in particular, was entered in the "Pro-Am" category with his half-brother Luca Marini and his childhood friend, Alessio "Uccio" Salucci.

At the wheel of a Ferrari 488 GT3, the three Italians finished the event in third place in the general classification and first in their category, despite a fuel flow problem. !

"It was a great experience, I really enjoyed it", rejoices the Doctor, who particularly savored the feeling of winning as a team with his half-brother and Uccio. "It was long, but it was beautiful," comments the 39-year-old champion, who will definitely have some great stories to share on Christmas Eve tonight. !

Video: Valentino Rossi’s on-board tour with Hamilton F1 

Video: Lewis Hamilton’s on-board ride on Rossi’s M1 

Related articles

• Drivers and teams – Valentino Rossi and Lewis Hamilton exchange their prototype in Valencia –

  Valentino Rossi and Lewis Hamilton trade prototype in Valencia Valentino Rossi takes the wheel of a Formula 1 this Monday in Valencia (Spain) as part of…

• Drivers and teams – Valentino Rossi ensures that he did not think of continuing to race at 40 … –

  Valentino Rossi says he didn’t think he would continue running at 40… Valentino Rossi will celebrate his 40th birthday on February 16, 2019, in a month…

• Drivers and teams – Valentino Rossi ensures he can return to the top in 2019 – Used YAMAHA

  Valentino Rossi ensures he can return to the top in 2019 During the official presentation of the Monster Yamaha MotoGP team last night in Indonesia,…

• Drivers and teams – Rossi turns 40 on the eve of Marquez’s 26th birthday –

  Rossi turns 40 on the eve of Marquez’s 26th birthday Valentino Rossi and Marc Marquez both celebrated their birthdays this weekend: the dean of the…

• Drivers and teams – Rossi’s future will take shape this year: retirement or a factory Yamaha at Petronas SRT in 2021 – Used YAMAHA

  Rossi’s future will take shape this year: retirement or a factory Yamaha at Petronas SRT in 2021 Valentino Rossi, 41 years old on February 16, is kindly…

• Drivers and teams – Rossi opens an exit door at Yamaha Petronas – Used YAMAHA

  Rossi opens an exit door at Yamaha Petronas Valentino Rossi evokes his withdrawal from the motorcycle Grands Prix if his results do not improve in 2020,…

• Drivers and teams – Rossi at Yamaha Petronas-SRT in 2021: end of the suspense on Monday? – Used YAMAHA

  Rossi at Yamaha Petronas-SRT in 2021: end of the suspense on Monday ? Valentino Rossi, replaced by Fabio Quartararo in the official Yamaha team next…

• Drivers and teams – What about the rumors about Rossi and Lorenzo’s retirement? –

  What to make of the rumors about Rossi and Lorenzo ‘s retirement ? The MotoGP summer break has traditionally been conducive to the development of rumors…

• Drivers and teams – Marc Marquez and Lewis Hamilton ready for a MotoGP-F1 duel! –

  Marc Marquez and Lewis Hamilton ready for MotoGP / F1 duel ! Marc Marquez and Lewis Hamilton, currently at the top of MotoGP and Formula 1, have in…

• Riders and teams – The worries of Rossi’s future boss in MotoGP – Used YAMAHA

  The worries of Rossi’s future boss in MotoGP Yamaha Petronas-SRT team boss Razlan Razali admits having doubts about future recruit Valentino Rossi after…