Alonso unimpressed by Rossi switch

Acidreign · 02-23-2006, 12:53 PM

(Reuters) - Formula One world champion Fernando Alonso says he is unimpressed with his motorcycling counterpart Valentino Rossi's attempts at trying out on four wheels.
"I'm glad that Rossi has tested with Ferrari because that means they have lost valuable time preparing the cars for the show they put on," the Spaniard told a news conference at a promotional event in Madrid on Thursday.
"Let him come and drive. It will be good because there will be more media attention.
"Until we see him race we won't know his true potential, but it will be very difficult for him. He might finish fifth or even get on the podium some time, but I could do the same on the bikes if I was given a bit of time to practise."
Rossi, winner in motorcycling's top category for the past five years, tested with Ferrari in Spain earlier this month and is seen as a serious prospect to switch from two wheels to four in the future.
Despite a few spins, the 27-year-old Italian acquitted himself well in testing and seven-times world champion Michael Schumacher said he has the talent to make it in Formula One.
((SPORT-MOTOR RACING-ALONSO-ROSSI; Writing by Simon Baskett))

RRWANTR · 02-23-2006, 12:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Acidreign

"Until we see him race we won't know his true potential, but it will be very difficult for him. He might finish fifth or even get on the podium some time, but I could do the same on the bikes if I was given a bit of time to practise."

hmmmm...

abtech · 02-23-2006, 1:37 PM

I believe Mario Andretti made a similar comment about being able to podium in the 500 GP class if he wanted to. Then he road Wayne Rainey's screamer at Donnington at a press outing and nearly pissed himself.

RRWANTR · 02-23-2006, 1:58 PM

Didn't Schumacher take a spin on Nicky's RC or something a couple years ago? Can't remember the results, but believe I read it in a mag somehwere. I believe Schumacher actually rides bikes a bit.

BDA116 · 02-23-2006, 2:04 PM

He ran on Capirossi's Duc for a few laps for fun. He was ~25% off Rossi's best time at the circuit, but he wasn't trying out for any team.
I'd put money that if he had some practice time and actually applied himself for a tryout on a MotoGP team to further his career, Schumi could come within the same percentage of lap times on a GP bike that Rossi will in F1.
Of course, it won't happen as Schumi has absolutely no desire or need to do so.

luvtolean · 02-23-2006, 2:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by abtech

I believe Mario Andretti made a similar comment about being able to podium in the 500 GP class if he wanted to. Then he rode Wayne Rainey's screamer at Donnington at a press outing and nearly pissed himself.

There's been only one man to win the GP and F1 titles.

They're all brave men with exceptional skills on the racetrack, but that doesn't mean they could be top at both.

RRWANTR · 02-23-2006, 2:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BDA116

He ran on Capirossi's Duc for a few laps for fun. He was ~25% off Rossi's best time at the circuit, but he wasn't trying out for any team.
I'd put money that if he had some practice time and actually applied himself for a tryout on a MotoGP team to further his career, Schumi could come within the same percentage of lap times on a GP bike that Rossi will in F1.
Of course, it won't happen as Schumi has absolutely no desire or need to do so.

Now I'm going to have to go dig through my mags and see who I'm thinking of...

sheepofblue · 02-23-2006, 4:19 PM

I was thinking if I applied myself I could win a MotoGP and a F1 title, how hard could it be

BDA116 · 02-23-2006, 4:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sheepofblue

I was thinking if I applied myself I could win a MotoGP and a F1 title, how hard could it be

For you? Damn near impossible. For someone that was raised in ultra competitive racing environments, is at the top of their game, in nearly perfect physical conditioning, has hundreds of millions in banks, has the support of millions of sponsorship dollars and factories, and endless amounts of time on their hands?
Not really that difficult if they really wanted. One wouldn't take the other by storm and win the title, but could become close enough to turning qualifying lap times.
Someone like Schumi or Alonso has as much talent, ability and backing that they could get as competitive on a bike as Rossi will in a car if they really wanted. Just like Rossi has the backing and the desires of certain factories to at least appear to do well in F1. He also has the desire for that personal glory and the huge F1 dollar signs.
Point is, there is no reason for an F1 driver to really try in the motorcycling ranks. There may come a day when one really wants to do the crossover thing for personal glory, but the money GP riders make per year is about a month's salary to a comparative F1 driver.

luvtolean · 02-23-2006, 4:38 PM

I don't know if he's looking for money.

Maybe.

But I think a new challenge is part of it.

abtech · 02-23-2006, 4:38 PM

However, I have met and worked with a few motorcycle GP riders and they all have one thing in common that may or may not be part of an F1 driver's resume.

The ability to work in 4 dimensions simultaneously. In a car you can slide in just about any direction, but you don't have the 2 wheel gyroscopic aspect and differential balance issues that are present in motorcycle roadracing. I'm certainly not saying that the top F1 drivers couldn't crossover, but the change from 3 dimensions to 4 is not insignificant. I would imagine a fighter pilot or Helo jock would make an easier transition than a car driver.

I have also been told by a certain ex 500 GP champ that ran 4 wheels for a couple of seasons that the physical demands of car racing while significant are much less than running a GP bike on the same track.

Zippy · 02-23-2006, 5:10 PM

I don't know if Alonso has extensive bike racing experience, but I would expect the transition from car to bike would be far harder than from bike to car. Throw a few painful crashes in there and let's see if his tune changes. There is no body english involved in driving the car. There is a lot of carryover in skills, but none at all in the most difficult spots in bike handling.

On the other hand, riding the bike well covers most of what you need to drive the car. I know that we are talking about a level that is a world apart, but every car racer that I've talked at the track says that bikes are far harder to master.