One of the most exciting lineups in Formula One can turn out to be a reality in 2007 with the double R's as the driver lineup for the Scuderia. It is no secret that Michael Schumacher will likely retire at the end of the 2006 season and remember, that Felipe Massa is signed with Ferrari for the 2006 season only making everyone believe and understand that he will be evaluated based on his performances for that season only before he is considered for a renewal.

At the Canadian Grand Prix, Jean Todt was seen chatting with Raikkonen's agent, Steve Robertson and as you may assume, they were not discussing the beautiful weather experienced during that week-end. Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo also expressed a great appreciation towards Raikkonen stating "He has a five-year contract with McLaren but we must think of the future and make long-term plans." Both Todt and Montezemolo point the Ferrari future towards the Iceman. The next step, is, the plan of action in obtaining the Iceman for 2007 to where his contract with Mclaren expires at the end of the 2006 season. Ferrari has made it clear that Raikkonen is in their future plans.

Coming from a recent two day testing with Ferrari's F2004, six time Moto GP Champion (will be seventh time at the end of this season) has taken up another secretive testing session in Fiorano, going against his words after the US Grand Prix fiasco, to where he was reported to have been turned off by the Formula One sport like many other millions of people around the world. The reasons for the secret testing, is, to keep off the high pressures from the media and numerous fans who cannot seem to get enough of Valentino Rossi in Italy who is considered a God, appearing in various commercials, and, featuring in various billboards."


Rossi on his Yamaha.

As you may notice, Ferrari never revealed his times and mislead the media last year on April 21, 2004, to where Doctor Rossi first appeared in a Ferrari F2003. Ferrari allowed no media personnel or journalist to keep this test private and later revealed that Valentino Rossi was approximately 4 seconds behind Michael Schumacher's best time on the track recorded with the F2004. In accordance, to Business F1, it was stated that sources close to Claudio Berro who was Ferrari's communications supremo, the truth of the matter was that Valentino Rossi's best lap was only four tenth's off Schumacher's best lap as opposed to four seconds. PR person through Business F1, stated that "Claudio told me in sincere moment that they had fooled the world for their own reasons. They had no desires to tell other teams just how quick Valentino had really been. If he was four seconds behind, would Ferrari really pay expensive money to have Valentino test again for two more day with a further invitation to be fulfilled soon? Valentino recently renewed his contract with Yamaha for one more year, therefore, likely making himself available for 2007 to Ferrari to where he might participate in both Formula One and Moto GP during the same year since both schedules do not conflict since commercial rights holders of the two series deliberately schedule their races apart and there are never date clashes. His recent two day testing has some media reports stating he is 3 seconds off Schumacher's best lap while other media reports stated he was much faster than last year's run. It is obvious that Ferrari is misleading the media with good reason. Doctor Rossi had the following to state in reference to the two day Ferrari testing, "I wanted to get a better understanding of a Formula 1 car," Rossi said. "I would like to thank Ferrari for giving me the opportunity to do so. The two days were intensive and interesting. I completed a lot of kilometres and I began to understand the handling of the car, working with the engineers and Marc Gené. I go back to the two wheels where there is still a long way to go to the end of the season."


The great Ferrari driver signing an autograph for another great driver.

Luca Montezemolo and Jean Todt were both at the second testing session and have invited Rossi again with good reason. Does anyone really think Ferrari would invite him again after being a whole three seconds off the pace? Doctor Rossi will be the only exception to the rule in the unwritten rule of not having an Italian driver to race with Ferrari due to the enormous pressures involved representing a team and a country at the same.

With Schumacher likely retiring following the 2006 reason, Raikkonen free from his Mclaren contract after the 2006 season, and Rossi's contract expiring with Yamaha in 2006, the 2007 Scuderia dream team can be the combination of the Iceman and the Doctor. Exciting, this will be!

By Carm Sciglitano - Tifosi Club