While Valentino Rossi is waiting for his test session in a Formula 1 single-seater, yesterday he went onto the Fiorano race track to try the latest model from the Prancing Horse: the 458 Italia. However there have been reports that Rossi has been admitted into hospital with an inflamed appendix and this could possibly affect the timing of his test.

Rossi, in Maranello for several meetings with the technicians to get ready for the tests in Barcelona, also took the opportunity to try out the new Formula 1 simulator, while during a short break he wanted to get a taste of the new 8-cylinder rear-mid engine Berlinetta, the 458 Italia.

Although the track was slightly wet and the temperatures very low Valentino managed to drive a couple of laps and, once he got out of the car, couldn’t hide his enthusiasm for this new Ferrari.

The driver from Tavullia congratulated the technicians present at the track for the car he entirely enjoyed, especially the driver set up, the steering precision, the engine and the dual clutch F1 gearbox.

After his excursion on the track the multiple MotoGP World Champion went back to the Scuderia: the next Ferrari driven by Rossi will be a Ferrari F1 single-seater on 20 and 21 January.