MotoGP Legend Valentino Rossi Discloses Rejected F1 Offer

Nine-time MotoGP world champion Valentino Rossi surprised fans by revealing he turned down an offer to join Formula 1 with the Minardi team. After winning the title with Yamaha in 2004, Rossi had the opportunity to test with Ferrari and was subsequently offered the transition to four wheels.In an interview with Gianluca Gazzoli’s podcast, Rossi shared details of the invitation.

Stefano Domenicali, current CEO of F1, was the one who made the offer after Rossi’s impressive tests with Ferrari, where he recorded fast times and left a lasting impression.Testing took place in 2004, when Rossi won with Yamaha, and involved sessions at Fiorano and Mugello, as well as a real test in Valencia. After these experiences, Rossi had to decide whether he would accept the offer to compete for Minardi, a team known for being a starting point in F1, with the possibility of progressing to Ferrari.Domenicali’s offer included a stake in Minardi, Ferrari’s B team at the time.

Although Rossi was very excited and intrigued by the offer, he did not accepted it because , to him , F1 was not career he was looking to again build on after an Wnderful MotoGP one.This revelation of having a chance to race in F1, that two with such a team as Minardi, just tells us what a great motorsport athlete he is.

Having dominated the two wheeled competition, it was a chance for Rossi to leave his mark on the four wheeler one.But that doesn’t really meant he is not interested to pursue or explore the world of 4 wheeler racing. His current desire to race in the 24 hours of Le Mans suggests about his desires as well.

After turning down this offer, Rossi became more invested in MotoGP by opening and owning an wonderful superstrong MotoGP Team, the Mooney VR46 Racing Team .