Moto: Biaggi in new race with Rossi

Jan 19 2006 Western Mail

FORMER MotoGP ace Max Biaggi will bid to beat old rival Valentino Rossi to Formula One after testing for Midland at Silverstone yesterday.

Biaggi (pictured below), was left without a drive after being dumped by Honda at the end of a disappointing 2005 season.

He discussed a move to World Superbikes with Kawasaki but now has the chance of a Formula One switch after securing a one-off test with Midland, powered by Honda's bitter rivals Toyota.

World champion Rossi has already tested several times for Ferrari but looks unlikely to join them for 2007. Biaggi has an outside chance of being in Formula One this year.

Midland have an opening as test driver after Nicky Pastorelli lost his sponsor while race driver Tiago Monteiro's seat has yet to be officially confirmed.