Watch: Valentino Rossi testing the Ferrari F2008 at Mugello back in 2008. Rossi completed a two day test with Ferrari.

On 21st November 2008, Valentino Rossi completed a two day test with Scuderia Ferrari, at the Mugello circuit. It was Vale’s penultimate test with the Prancing Horse, as there would be further one in January 2010 in Barcelona, which brought to an end a tale that began on 21st April 2004 at Fiorano.

The two days at Mugello was a gift that the Scuderia and Valentino’s great friend Stefano Domenicali gave him in recognition of his eighth world title. On that day, the rider from Tavullia covered 56 laps at the wheel of an F2008, itself a world champion, with a best time of 1.24.04.

“The test went reasonably well,” commented Valentino at the end of the day. “Unfortunately, we didn’t manage many laps in the dry this morning, but we seized the opportunity to also test in the wet. The feeling I got was definitely positive and I managed to push hard. The car is fantastic and, overall it was a good test. I’d like to again thank the guys in the team, as well as obviously Luca di Montezemolo and Stefano Domenicali who put a lot of effort into these two days, making me feel like a real Formula 1 driver.”