It is almost certain that MotoGP hero Valentino Rossi will still be seen in the MotoGP paddock in the 2021 season as an active racing driver in the top motorcycle class. The nine-time world champion from Tavullia will then be 42 years old.
What is certain is that, according to the current contractual situation, Rossi is likely to join Petronas SRT’s Yamaha satellite team from 2021, possibly as a teammate of his VR46 Academy protégé Franco Morbidelli. Here the talks have yet to be completed. And it also remains to be seen whether the Yamaha corona virus may not freeze contracts by one year.
Now Rossi’s father has made Graziano (66) pay attention with interesting statements. “In my opinion, Valentino could also drive two, three or even four years,” the former Suzuki 500cc works driver and three-time GP winner told Italian pay TV broadcaster Sky Sport.
From the Petronas team, it can be heard that SR team manager Razlan Razali quickly comes to a conclusion and wants to know whether Rossi will drive in his team. For Graziano Rossi, one thing is certain: “He certainly doesn’t want to retire now and today, and maybe not in a year. I’m sure.”
And the father of “Il Dottore” even goes one step further here: “I’m sure that Valentino is still a competitive driver and can win races if he finds the right conditions.”
Rossi, who has won four world titles and 46 MotoGP victories for Yamaha, is currently keeping fit at his ranch in Tavullia and is hoping for a test before the planned MotoGP start in July in Jerez de la Frontera.
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