Valentino Rossi has lost a lot of credit in the past four years without a win. If he continues now, then he has to be sure that he can really stop the downward trend.
Valentino Rossi doesn’t show his cards. He used the summer break to make a decision about his career. Should he continue driving or step down as a racing driver? Is he completing a second season with Petronas SRT Yamaha – or is he getting involved as a team principal for his new VR46 Ducati team?
The nine-time world champion does not comment specifically. And buddy Uccio Salucci stopped talking to his Italian colleagues two days ago Sky Sport everything open too. “There are still a lot of races to go. Vale is determined, he trains like crazy. When we got back from vacation, he immediately jumped on a motorcycle, ”reveals Alessio“ Uccio ”Salucci.
“If we end our career this year, we don’t want to do it like that,” said Vales right-hand man referring to the disappointing results from the first half of the season: the nine-time world champion is only a personal best after nine races and a meager tenth place in Mugello 19th place in the World Championship.
«We want to be strong from Austria onwards. Certainly not in the top 5 – but not like it was last either. We have the feeling that we can do a little better, ”explained Uccio.
After more than four years without a win, Rossi can no longer find a green branch at Yamaha. In addition, Petronas Yamaha team principal Razlan Razali said last week that his team was actually intended for young rookies and up-and-coming drivers. After all, Petronas has already delivered Fabio Quartararo to the factory team for 2021, and Franky Morbidelli will follow in 2022.
Razali gave Johnny Rea (34) and Andrea Dovizioso (35) a clear rejection. And at 42 years old, Rossi is not exactly a hope for the future.
But the speculation about a move from Rossi to his own VR46 Ducati team continues. The Italian media are convinced that the 115-time GP winner will ride the factory Desmosedici GP22 himself in the coming season.
But when it comes to Rossi’s career, since 2013 and 2014 even the most renowned GP reporters have been mistaken several times. “The Doctor” has been telling us for eight or nine years that he will decide in June whether to continue.
August 2021 is now beginning, and we are still groping in the dark.
Even the Ducati team leadership is currently puzzling over the occupation of the Sky VR46 team.
Will Rossi stop and, as the team owner, concentrate on the intended MotoGP riders Luca Martini with the GP22 and rookie Marco Bezzecchi with the GP21?
Nobody knows.
At Dorna, after the two Qatar GPs in 2021, it was already speculated that if the results persist, Rossi would give up after the first third of the season.
But it was clear: Rossi will not break the contract, and he also wants. after a year of ghost races finally driving in front of spectators again – also in Misano, where 23,500 fans will be admitted.
Now some Dorna officials are convinced that Rossi will quit.
But why is HRH Prince Abdulaziz bin Abdullah bin Saud bin AdulAziz Al Saud inviting him to his private residence soon to share interesting news about the new five-year project in motorsport. Because he wants to introduce Marini and Bezecchi as drivers in the VR46 team.
The Saudi prince wanted Rossi to be his number 1 driver three months ago.
“The prince always pushes me to ride with Ducati on my team for the next year. We spoke to each other a couple of times. But I didn’t expect him to mention it in the press release, ”the nine-time world champion reported with a smile in Assen at the end of June. “I know, but that he would like to try it with me and my brother. At the moment, however, I see it as very difficult – not only with regard to the Ducati, but also to be racing with my team for the next year in general. ”
Because the second driver next to Marini is actually the Moto2 World Championship third Marco Bezzecchi. But he could also be delegated to the Petronas Yamaha team.
Inconsistencies also exist in connection with the Saudi oil company Aramco. “Saudi Aramco is already intensely involved in motorsport and Formula 1 and will join MotoGP in 2022 together with the VR46 team”, was announced in a press release in the spring.
Meanwhile, Saudi Aramco denies having made an agreement with VR46 and the MotoGP World Championship.
Saudi Aramco is considered the largest oil production company in the world and made headlines last year with its IPO. Aramco had an impressive 299 billion euros in sales in 2018. The profit was put at 111 billion.
The Saudi company TANAL Entertainment Sport & Media, the holding company owned by His Royal Highness Prince Abdulaziz bin Abdullah bin Saud bin AdulAziz Al Saud, wants to inspire Saudi Arabian companies like Aramco for MotoGP under the “Saudi Vision 2030” project.
Rossi is one of the most popular athletes today. He plays in the league of Usain Bolt, Roger Federer, Marcel Hirscher, Tiger Woods, Novak Djokovic, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
It goes without saying that the public is very interested in Rossi’s future.
The 42-year-old Italian is in a dilemma. Could he polish up his tarnished reputation with the Ducati? Or will the downward spiral (2020 World Cup 15th, now World Cup 19th) continue?
It is likely that Valentino Rossi will pour us pure wine before the Styria GP (August 6th to 8th).
Nobody knows if he’s doing himself a favor by ending his GP career after 26 years. He has already contested an unbelievable 433 Grand Prix and garnered a unique number of 235 podium places.
Only Rossi can judge whether it is his fault, the Yamaha, the in-line engine concept or the tires, and whether he could cope better with the Ducati package.
At least Vale would no longer lose 10 to 13 km / h with the rocket from Borgo Panigale.
“There are several open situations, but at the same time there are also simple ones. Because it will all come together a little on its own. The next ten, a maximum of 15 days are decisive for this, ”said Uccio two days ago.
In any case, I’m gradually no longer smiling at the remark made by Papa Graziano Rossi, who won three 250cc GPs and announced a few years ago: “Valentino doesn’t stop until he’s 46.”
This is what the MotoGP teams could look like in 2022
Repsol-Honda
Marc Márquez, Pol Espargaró
Ducati Lenovo Team
Jack Miller, Pecco Bagnaia
Monster Energy Yamaha
Franco Morbidelli, Fabio Quartararo
Suzuki ecstar
Alex Rins, Joan Mir
Red Bull KTM Factory Racing
Brad Binder, Miguel Oliveira
Aprilia Racing Team
Aleix Espargaró, Andrea Dovizioso? Maverick Viñales?
Pramac Racing
Jorge Martin, Johann Zarco
Sky VR46 Racing
Luca Marini, Marco Bezzecchi? Valentino Rossi?
Petronas Yamaha SRT
Augusto Fernandez? Marco Bezzecchi? Johnny Rea?
LCR Honda
Alex Márquez, Takaaki Nakagami
KTM Tech3 Factory Racing
Remy Gardner, Fernandez
Gresini Ducati Racing
Enea Bastianini, Fabio Di Giannantonio
– .
