Rossi tackles four-wheeled challenge at Monza

Valentino Rossi will once again test his skills behind the steering wheel as the nine-times World Champion participates in this weekend's Blancpain Endurance Series round at Monza in Italy, which commences on Friday. Rossi will drive a Ferrari 458 Italia for the Kessel Racing team, as he starts his latest adventure on four wheels.

The Ducati Team rider will be joined by his friend and long-time assistant Uccio Salucci in the team, and will hope to match or even improve upon his last performance in an Endurance outing. Rossi finished third in his category and 11th overall at the Six Hours of Vallelunga in 2009, behind the wheel of a Ferrari F430 GT3 of the Kessel Racing team.

Others taking part in this weekend's Monza round will be Le Mans 24 winner David Brabham, former F1 drivers Mark Blundell and Karl Wendlinger, and a number of Endurance specialists.

Rossi and his fellow competitors will take part in Free Practice and Pre-Qualifying sessions on Friday, before the formal Qualifying session on Saturday and the three-hour race on Sunday.