Rossi won't wait to join Ferrari.

[R1 Biker]

KTM's sporting director Heinz Kinigadner believes that Valentino Rossi will jump at the chance to drive for Ferrari in Formula One, regardless of the fact that he is still top dog in MotoGP.

Speaking in the wake of Saturday's Qatar Grand Prix, where the flamboyant Italian drew level with Michael Doohan's career record of 54 race wins and pushed himself into a share of all-time second spot behind the equally legendary Giacomo Agostini, Kinigadner claimed that Rossi could link up with Michael Schumacher next season, should he receive an offer from the Scuderia.

Rossi has been testing regularly with Ferrari, and surprised in a pre-season outing in Spain when he mixed it with the usual F1 midfield. However, he has yet to be formally offered a contract to race, despite technical director Ross Brawn admitting that the possibility remains for him to switch codes. Should the offer be forthcoming, Kinigadner believes that pen will be put to paper with little delay.

"I don't believe that Rossi will argue over money," the former Dakar ace told Austria's Die Presse newspaper, "He only wants to enjoy his racing, but why would he hang around in MotoGP? One day, he will find himself being beaten by a younger faster man."

Admitting that F1's gain would be bike racing's loss, Kinigadner expects Rossi to know his future by the middle of the year, although the situation remains clouded by Ferrari's pursuit of alternative drivers. Despite Felipe Massa currently occupying the second car, the Scuderia is making little secret of its interest in McLaren's Kimi Raikkonen who, some quarters insists, has signed a pre-contractual agreement to move to Maranello next year. Juan Montoya could also be on the market, having seemingly fallen out with McLaren, while Schumacher himself is now being tipped to hang around for another year, despite being linked to retirement at the end of 2006.

Kinigadner's money would be on a Schumacher-Rossi 'dream team'.



Kinigadner expects Rossi to move to F1
Rossi admits it would be a ‘big risk' for Ferrari


Valentino Rossi's hugely speculated switch to F1 has been backed by a motorcycle chief. KTM team boss Heinz Kinigadner told Die Presse that he reckons the authoritarian MotoGP champion will eventually race a Ferrari.

“I believe he will,” Kinigadner said. “What has he got to wait for in bike racing? To be beaten by a faster, younger rival?”

27-year-old Rossi would likely have to take a pay-cut to make the switch, but Kinigadner is adamant that the Italian does not ride for money.

But the man himself is not sure if it's worth the gamble.
“It's a big risk for Ferrari,” Rossi admitted to Gazzetta dello Sport, “(but) not as big as it is for me.”

Amid speculation that some at Ferrari are now less keen on the idea, Rossi said he would announce his plans in June.

Source GMM
CAPSIS International