Valentino Rossi will announce his future plans during a special press conference on Thursday afternoon on the eve of the Michelin Grand Prix of Styria at the Red Bull Ring.
While there has been speculation in recent weeks that the 42-year-old Italian would join his own VR46 Ducati team in 2022, rather than retire after 26 seasons of Grand Prix racing.
If Rossi elects to continue his record-breaking career he will also be lining up on the grid for the debut of Indonesia’s new Mandalika circuit, currently pencilled in for March of next year.
“Speaking with Petronas and Yamaha it’s more half-season, because after nine races we have the summer break and I think I will decide for next year in that period, after nine races.” Rossi said.
“I’m happy if I can race also in 2022 and come to Indonesia, but we need to wait for the results and if I can be competitive, so at this moment I cannot promise anything but I will try to be there in 2022,” Rossi added.
Another rumor that has appeared in the Italian media in recent days also points to an end to his active career as a MotoGP rider.
The deal with the now well-known Saudi prince Abdulaziz bin Abdullah bin Saud bin AbdulAziz Al Saud would go much further than just a sponsorship deal with the new VR46 Racing MotoGP Team.
The deal would mean that Rossi’s entire business empire will be sold and become in Saudi hands. This deal would involve no less than 150 million euros and be credited to the bank account of the main character in question.
“It would be fantastic for me if Valentino Rossi could compete in the next few years as a rider in our Aramco Racing Team VR46 together with his brother Luca Marini,” the prince said.
