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- ONLY REGISTERED AND ACTIVATED USERS CAN SEE ALL LINKS - CLICK HERE TO REGISTER Valentino Rossi has decided against a switch to Formula 1 in 2007 and will instead continue his career in Moto GP.
The seven-time motorcycle world champion ended months of speculation over a deal to race for Ferrari next year by telling the Italian news agency ANSA that he has opted to stay on two wheels for the “time being”.
"No Formula 1, at least for the moment. I will stay with motorcycles," he said in a statement.
"I will carry on racing in MotoGP for a while yet."
Rossi tested for Ferrari on several occasions and most recently drove an F2004, fitted with a restricted V10 engine, in the company of other F1 drivers in a full-blown test at Valencia prior to the start of the season.
The Italian was just 0.6s off the pace of Michael Schumacher in similar machinery and was considered a real possibility for a drive in 2007.
“My friends at Ferrari have given me the chance to try a Formula 1 car, it has been a marvellous experience from a technical point of view and expecially from a human one,” he said.
“I’ve been able to meet some splendid people.
“I would like to thank Luca di Montezemolo, Jean Todt and the whole team for the great opportunity that was given to me.”
Rossi currently lies 43 points behind Honda rider Nicky Hayden in the MotoGP world championship after an uncompetitive start to the season with Yamaha.
The 27-year-old admits that he has a mountain to climb to make up lost ground, and is also eager to leave his legacy on the category as it switches to a new 800cc format in 2007.
“I feel that my work on motorcycles is not finished yet,” he said.
“I still have much motivation and I will continue in Moto GP for a while yet. I hope Ferrari reach their objectives, which are same as mine: to win the world title.”

Rossi has yet to sign a new contract with Yamaha and his official website suggests that he will make a public announcement on his future at the Italian motorcycle Grand Prix at Mugello.

Source = ITV F1