Rossi wraps it up in style

Ahead of official testing next month, Moto GP racer Valentino Rosso was back behind the wheel of the 2008 specification privately-owned Ferrari today in Barcelona to complete his two day programme.

Using the F2008 package in order to avoid the current testing restrictions, the Italian notched up another 300km of running despite the damp and foggy start to the day. He improved on his Wednesday best by a considerable margin, recording a 1:21.900 best, just three-tenths off the pace of the 2008 Spanish Grand Prix fastest lap.

“We kept the last three quarters of an hour to try a ‘time attack’ with little petrol and fresh tyres,” Rossi explained. “I would have given anything for such a lap time.”

Rossi said that he enjoyed this test – his sixth with Ferrari - much more than his last experience in Mugello in November 2008. “It’s more fun here, because it’s a little bit easier,” the nine-time MotoGP champion admitted. “It’s more effort in Mugello, but this track here is really wonderful, with motorbikes and cars. I want to thank Ferrari, but especially [Stefano] Domenicali and [Luca di] Montezemolo, for giving me this present.”

Luca Baldisserri declared himself satisfied with the two day test: “We tried different set ups and he improved a lot - this means that the driver learns quickly and has room for improvement.”

Felipe Massa takes over the F2008 on Friday ahead of his scheduled teat programme next month with the team.