Valentino Rossi’s best friend Uccio (Alessio Salucci) has confirmed the Monster Yamaha rider will let himself run a few races to decide whether he will continue his career in MotoGP after 2021. If the futures of Fabio Quartararo and Maverick Vieales are now fixed, this is not the case for Rossi.
“Rossi wants to continue but needs certain answers that only the track and the first races can give me. He will continue if he is still competitive, or retire if he no longer feels capable of driving ahead.” Uccio said.
“We made a deal because Yamaha couldn’t wait until Mugello for Valentino to make a move in the transfer market,” he added.
It would make sense for Mugello. First of all, because the Italian Grand Prix has special value for the nine-time world champion, which makes it a good place for an announcement such an important announcement.
Secondly, it is the seventh race of the year, which will have given Rossi a better idea of his competitiveness. Finally, because it will be the end of May and the transfer market will undoubtedly be well advanced.
Uccio also said that the departure of Rossi from the official team, which will consist of Quartararo and Vinales in 2021.
“With Yamaha, we discussed it for days, and we saw each other during this time. There is a good relationship and transparency between us, in beautiful decisions as in the less beautiful, like this one.” Ucccio said.
Rossi, who wants to take his time, did not want to appear as a brake, a blockage, for Yamaha. The risk was indeed that by dint of waiting, the Japanese manufacturer would not see Quartararo or Vinales leaving for competition, they were both courted by Ducati. If Rossi decides to continue his career, it will not be in Yamaha team.
