Rossi to Consider Future

[f1manoz]

From My.Yahoo

Rumours in the Italian press are indicating that Valentino Rossi wants to start negotiations for his future services in two weeks time at Mugello.
The #46 is the undisputed King of MotoGP at the moment, and as such isn't short of offers for 2004. The decision to stay with Honda had looked like being an easy one - until the arrival of Ducati this season.

The famous Italian marque has taken the GP world by storm with their performances so far: Riders' Loris Capirossi and Troy Bayliss have both led races - and finished on the podium - this year, with Loris taking the team's first pole at Jerez.

The Desmosedici undoubtedly requires further fine-tuning to keep up with the Hondas of Rossi, Biaggi and Gibernau over a full race distance, but the writing is on the wall - perhaps not this year, but soon, Ducati will be championship contenders. The V4 is already the fastest GP bike ever made.

Rossi, a four times World Champion and favourite to take his third premier-class crown this year, has never hidden his desire to win a MotoGP title on an Italian machine, and that means either a return to Aprilia or a move to Ducati.

Aprilia have improved considerably this year, but are still some way short of Ducati, however any move to the red machines would face several hurdles...

Firstly, the team appear delighted with their two riders already and are unlikely to want to lose them after just one year, meaning either a 2005 Rossi deal or a third factory bike from the Bologna based company for next year.

Secondly, Rossi refuses to be sponsored by cigarette branding. With Marlboro signed to back the team until the European tobacco advertising ban comes into force in a few years time, Vale would either need to find his own funding or change his tough stance.

But why would he want to leave Honda anyway? HRC have an unmatched recent history in Motorcycle Grand Prix and have evolved the runaway 2002 title winning RCV still further this year. When Rossi lines-up on a grid he can almost always rely on having the best race machinery underneath him.

However, there has been long rumoured friction between the Italian and his Japanese paymasters over his decision to use his trademark #46 for the last two years instead of the #1 that means so much to his employer.

The pressure from Honda to carry the #1 plate for 2002, after winning the 500cc title, was said to have been 'considerable'.

Also Rossi, undoubtedly the most popular MotoGP rider of his time and famous beyond motorcycling, is well aware of his image - the patriotic Italian may be more than a little disturbed if, as is predicted, his supporters are outnumbered by those of Ducati in two weeks time at Mugello.

How would he feel if it falls on him to deny Ducati (and his countrymen) of an emotional - and incredibly popular - first MotoGP win in their home GP...? Of course he'd still be happy and take the 25 points, but the popularity of the victory might not match previous years, and that will hurt.

But Rossi winning on a Ducati - that really would send Italy wild.

Nevertheless, Vale's loss would be a massive blow to HRC and they are sure to do all they can to secure his services for next year and beyond, especially as a replacement would be hard to find. The Repsol rider's management have indicted it's simply a case of 'how long and for how much' between themselves and a new Honda deal.

HRC had been lining up Daijiro Kato to be the Italian's natural successor should such a shock move occur - but would now have to look towards Max Biaggi (also a future Ducati possibility) and/or the fast emerging Sete Gibernau.

The motive behind the Mugello date appears to be that Rossi wants to know as soon as possible just what Honda will bring to the table. The move is a clever one - those that can always negotiate early, otherwise they risk being 'forced' to accept a less favourable deal late in the year, when the majority of race seats have been taken.

Perhaps the best move from Rossi's point of view would be a one-year extension on his current Honda contract, but will he follow his heart or his head...?

IMO there is a good chance Rossi will eventually end up on an Italian bike. He wants to ride one and I think he'll sacrifice pay-cheque to get it.

[Gerrit]

I think we can safely forget Rossi joining Aprilia- the RS3 is a dead duck. Ducati IS a serious possibility, though the current sponsorship provided by Marlboro would prove an obstacle. But a third bike in a separate team would create other problems. First, there is Dorna's ridiculous artificial limit on the number of teams allowed to enter, a second Ducati team does not have an entry. Then, such a team would need a second rider to comply with another Dorna rule, that of two-rider teams. Of course, Ducati could supply machinery to WCM, and get Rossi on that team- this would, at least, solve the licenced team problem, as well as WCM's current machinery problem.
The third possibility is replacing either capirossi or Bayliss. IF Rossi signs with Ducati, then my guess is he will replace capirossi. Bayliss and Ducati have a much longer association than capirossi/Ducati, plus Bayliss would, for marketing reasons, be a more logical choice.

Which, of course, leaves HRC with a huge problem: who will replace Rossi if he leaves?

[BootsOntheSide]

Rossi on a Ducati would be splendid. I'd lvoe to see Honda getting beaten for a chance, and Tino could be the man to spearhead the effor,t in a similar way to Michael Schumacher at Ferrari. Running 3 bikes seems practical, even for a relatively small company. Rossi's salary demands might be quite high though.

[Rambo]

Wouldn't it be fun to see him spearhead Honda's return to WSBK?

[Dani Filth]

I want Rossi on an Aprilia .... continuing what he started many years ago ...

[Schummy]

If Vale is for a challenge he should go to KTM in 125cc

[gomick]

no ducati unless they run 3 bikes - capirossi and bayliss are on 2 year contracts..... maybe rossi can replace villenueve at BAR

imagine rossi vs schummy

[Schummy]

No, I don't want Rossi in my team!

[garcon]

Maybe he'll do a straight swap with Colin McRae...

[BootsOntheSide]

This is interesting too, because Tino has considered switching to cars. He'd be mad to go straight to Formula 1, but maybe he could do some non-clashing F3 races next year (at Honda's support if he stays), and, if he does well, consider making a career of that, in the same way as legends like Surtees and Hailwood.

[Winther]

I think he will stay with the bikes for some time still.
And I think he will win a championship on an Italian bike too.