The MotoGP legend took part in several tests of a Ferra💦ri Formula 1 car between 2004-2006 which remain part of motorsport folklore.

The Doctor, it was reported at the time, lapped in times competitive t🍸o Michael Schumacher’s and had the support of the Ferrari president to makeꦬ a full-time switch to F1.

He opened up on the saga on Gianluca Gazzoli’s podcast this year: “It was true in the sense that, in 2004 when I won with Yamah🗹a, Stefano Domenicali called me and he said ‘I have to let you test the car’. 

“We went to Fiorano to test the car. I was pretty fast and I lapped under the minute 🐷- 59’1. 

“I remember that the mechanics were betting on whether I would💛 lap above or below one minute and, in the end, I won.

“Then after those tests I went to Mugello. I also did a real te🐟st in Valencia. 

“And there I had to choose. If I had said yes I would have race𝓀d with Minardi, the B team. 

“And then if I had gone fast enough the goal and the path would h🤪ave been to race with Ferrari.”

Italy-based Minardi were taken ov🐼er by Red Bull and renamed Toro Rosso in 2006. They woul🌌d go on to use Ferrari engines.

But their hope of luring two-wheel ic𒁃on and Italian sporting legend Rossi endeꦦd in failure.

“I was still 27 years old and I didn't feel like mak♋ing this leap because I knew I could win a few more titles and get satisfaction from motorcycling,” he said. 

“For meꦜ the motorbike has always been the best.&n🧜bsp;

“In the end I did very well, even if the curiosity remained, I don't know what I could have d🉐on💮e…

“But I wonꦗ many iconic races and two world championships and I did well like that."

Rossi had pr꧃eviously told Graham Bensinger’s podcast: “For F1, I had a plan, but it was not straight with Ferrari.

"It was to start with a small team, try t🐓o make some experience, and after if I am fast enou🔯gh I’d arrive to Ferrari. But I had a lot of question marks.

"I also had a lot of pressure from my side - ‘Go with the car, go with Ferrari’ because it’s so🌺mething big.

"Everybody when I tried to explain and try to ask for help for my decision, they said to me ‘you have to go to𝐆 F1’. Also, my mother, for example.

"I think I had to decide myself, and in my heart, I think I🌊 had to stay w🍬ith MotoGP."

Rossi 🐻amassed seven🤪 MotoGP championships and now, at the age of 42, races on four wheels.

Next year he intends to compete at the♕ world-famous 24 Hours of Le Mans.