Valentino Rossi is yet to sign his new contract. Nine-time world champion is expected to sign a new deal with Movistar Yamaha MotoGP, extending his stay with the team.
But the Italian rider, whose, current deal expires the end if the 2018 F1 season, has yet pledge his future to the Japanese manufacturer.
“I have the motivation, I want to try continue the championship. First, I want to do all the preseason tests, because I want to understand if I’m competitive, if the bike is competitive and also if I have enough power to do all the tests, then I will sign.” Rossi told media.
“I will probably keep running. So we’ll talk again about this possibility when I stop, but not in 2019 or 2020.” Rossi added.
The-39-year-old rider’s problems last season were due to mistakes made by the bike and in electronics set-up, but also in chassis design. Yamaha has learned its lesson and created a chassis tat owes much to the 2016 based, which Rossi enjoyed.
In recent days, the transfer window of the next MotoGP seasons has been packed. While Francesco Bagnaia has already been validated at Aima Pramac Racing, the world No. 1 Marc Marquez has extended his contract at Repsol Honda two years. Five riders already have a contract for the 2019 season.
Meanwhile, Tech3 announced its wish to slam the door to Yamaha after twenty years of collaboration. The French structure now seems to be moving towards KTM, while Suzuki says it wants to have a second satellite team.
Yamaha has unveiled its new MotoGP bike YZF-M1 for the 2018 season. (Source:www.auto.ndtv.com)
Speaking to media, Rossi hoped he still can see Yamaha Tech3 battle in this season despite in next two years Yamaha will not build a team.
“I did not expect Tech3 to leave Yamaha. We thought about it, it would have been a good opportunity. But these next two years, we will not build a team in MotoGP with Yamaha.” Rossi said.
On the other hand, Rossi’s team-mate Maverick Vinales will stay with Movistar Yamaha until at least 2020, having signed a new two-year deal with the team.
The Spaniard joined Yamaha ahead of the 2017 MotoGP season after spending two years in the MotoGP with Suzuki. He finished at third position at the end of the season last year, 68 points behind the champion Marc Marquez and 31 points behind Ducati’s Andrea Dovizioso.
