Rossi and Raikkonen at Ferrari in 2007?
A three year deal for Valentino Rossi?


Valentino Rossi is on the verge of clinching his fifth straight
MotoGP title at Motegi in a three weeks time as rumours and reports
from Italy, specifically La Repubblica suggest that the Italian star
has signed a three year deal to join Ferrari in 2007 for an
estimated 80 million Euros.

La Repubblica suggests that Rossi and Kimi Raikkonen will be the
2007 lineup for the once dominant champions.

There has been nothing official on this from Ferrari who just took
up an option on the services of Felipe Massa to partner Michael
Schumacher next year. Schumacher himself is under contract to the
squad until the end of 2006 and according to reports, will await the
first tests of the F2006 before making any decision as to whether he
will remains with the team, move to pastures new, or retire from the
sport.

The Rossi-Ferrari link is nothing new, but recent test with the
teams seem to indicate the two parties are moving closer to a long-
term working relationship and Rossi is believed to be conducting
another two tests this year for Ferrari. His new contract with
Yamaha is a one year extension and is up at the end of 2006.

Of course, a lot of Ferrari's 2007 lineup will depend on how
competitive the team is next year and how well Felipe Massa performs
alongside Schumacher. As it stands, Ferrari and tyre partner
Bridgestone are between one and two seconds a lap off the pace at
many Grand Prix. Should the team return to its winning ways in 2006,
Raikkonen and Rossi may well be more inclined to make the move.

Earl ALEXANDER
© CAPSIS International