Ferrari offers test drive to motorcycling champion

   Copyright c 1998 Nando Media
   Copyright c 1998 Reuters

ROME (Oct 15, 1998 - 13:50 EDT) - Ferrari have invited Italian former 250cc
motorcycle champion Max Biaggi to test drive a Formula One car.

Biaggi will probably take up the offer at the end of this year, after the
final races in the 500cc motorcycling championship and the Formula One
Grand Prix season, a Ferrari spokesman said.

"It's something which dates back to the start of this season when
Ferrari president Luca di Montezemola told Biaggi he could test drive a car
if he won a race in his first season in 500cc," the spokesman said.

Ferrari said the invitation was not the start of new career for Biaggi, who
won four consecutive 250cc titles before pushing hard for the 500cc title
this year.

"I don't think we'll be signing Max to drive for us next year,"
the spokesman said.

Biaggi is due to compete in the final race of the 500cc season in Argentina
on October 25. The last motor racing Grand Prix of the year is scheduled
for Japan a week later.

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