Valentino Rossi: I was offered a contract with Minardi

Between 2004 and 2006, Valentino Rossi tested Ferrari’s Formula 1 car several times. In a podcast by Italian journalist Gianluca Gadzoli, the legendary motorcycle racer said he was offered to sign a contract with Minardi with the prospect of moving to Ferrari.

Valentino Rossi: “In 2004, when I won on Yamaha, Stefano Domenicali called me and said: “I have to organize tests for you in Formula 1.” And we carried out tests in Fiorano. I turned out to be quite fast and completed the lap in less than a minute – 59.1 seconds.

I remember the mechanics placing bets on whether I would complete a lap in under a minute or less, and in the end I won. Then there were tests in Mugello, and then full tests in Valencia, after which I had to make a choice.

I was offered a contract with Minardi and if I was fast enough I could go to Ferrari. But I was 27 years old at the time and I had no specific desire to make this transition. I knew I could win some more MotoGP titles. For me, motorcycles have always been the best.

In the end I did well, although my curiosity about Formula 1 remained. I don’t know what results I could have achieved, but I won many iconic motorcycle races and two more championship titles.”