Already we’re seeing comments about Rossi’s anticipated move to Formula 1. Established racers are saying he has to come over and win immediately if he’s going to succeed. Oh, really? How many current racers were winning right out of the box? Is this just a gentle form of psychological intimidation? Formula 1 is like nothing else, etc., etc. Well, MotoGP isn’t bicycle racing either.
Formula 1 is definitely an extreme sport in every sense but Rossi has proven he is quite a racer. Current F1 drivers are the best of the best but they are still human and I think Rossi is quite capable of making the jump. I think it would be very interesting to watch. I can’t wait to see the expressions on the faces of a few drivers if he does cross over and begin winning.
aaron says
I would have to say that F1 is extremely cutthroat. look at indy/champcar. the undisputed heroes of the series came off looking like amatuers, with few exceptions. of the 2 successes i know of in recent years, villenueve is losing his sheen to most, while montoya’s rating has fallen over the years (not a lot, mind you, but stories of him feeding thousands with a loaf of bread and 2 fish are not as abundant as they were in his rookie years.)
michael andretti? shitass.
takagi? so slow that he couldn’t keep his million $ rent-a-ride.
fittapaldi? unsuccesful. (i can’t remember the details, so i’ll spare him any mockery.)
zanardi? pitiful. (he seemed to lack the sensitivity the cars need, particularly on the brakes.)
and these are prime auto racers that failed. to some, rossi’s rallye experience is unrelated or unimpressive. (great quote from him after his wrc debut “i had-a problem with-a tree”
i still think rossi can do it. and just putting his butt in a ferrari a few times has made him a greater F1 star than 3/4 of the field (that’s gotta rub some drivers the wrong way)
the reasons many don’t consider in his potential for success:
sensitivity to traction. steel brakes and ovals where brakes are lightly brushed twice a lap are not in the same field as carbon and 4g braking. bikes require sensitivity because a lockup will likely pitch you headlong. luckily motogp’s use of carbon brakes has primed rossi for their quirks. variable braking available due to downforce available at varying speeds? this exists on a bike, although it is fore-and-aft pitching that will make an aero difference in braking available to the rear wheel. throttle sensitivity? a hard exit banked at 50 degrees requires much more throttle control than is required by 2005 spec cars with traction control.
these drivers may have been quoted out of context, but when drivers like zanardi can be fired for lack of speed…who knows?
rossi could embarrass himself, as mike hailwood was largely unsuccesful when he tried the switch (and he is one of few riders in history that will be written of in the same pages as rossi)
rossi would likely only have 18 months to prove himself capable. but i hope he does.
Ian Swift says
Rossi would only be as good as his car.Witness Schumacher this year.