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It seems to be inevitable that Rossi will go to F1 Racing in 2007.  First f all, his contract will be up with his Yamaha ride.  Second, he spent another three days at the end of November ‘05 with the Ferrari fellas doing some testing at Ferrari’s Fiorano test track.  He then went to Mugello:

First stop was Ferrari’s Fiorano test track, where his times over 40 laps improved to about 58 seconds (Michael Schumacher’s record there is 55.9s). That’s beginning to be competitive. He later joined the Ferrari tests at the Mugello circuit. The three-day exercise has added to speculation Rossi is seriously in the frame to replace Schumacher - who turns 36 next year - when he retires, which many believe will be after the 2006 season.

But at the end of it, no-one was saying where it all might lead. “I am happy to have had the chance to get back behind the wheel of a Ferrari formula one car,” Rossi said innocently. “On Wednesday I drove at Fiorano to reacquaint myself with the car in preparation for these two days at Mugello, which is definitely a tough circuit.

“Obviously, I already knew the track [he has won the past four MotoGPs there], even if it is very different sitting in the cockpit from being on a bike. I was able to do around 600 kilometres, increasing my understanding of the handling of the car on a very different track to Fiorano. I have to say it was a great experience … “

All I can say is that I am happy for him.  I simply hope that the new-comers are able to raise the bar in 2007 with the new 800cc machines.  There may never be another domination in motorcycle racing…well, there will be but not for quite some time.  He made the sport so much fun to watch and should be credited for drawing attention to the sport. 

Be sure to watch all the racing you can this season because I have a feeling that in ‘07 there will be a talent gap.