Rossi denies Lorenzo “ultimatum”
Added on Tuesday, November 10th, 2009 by Carole Nash Editor
Rossi denies Lorenzo “ultimatum”
World champion Valentino Rossi has denied issuing an ultimatum to Yamaha following a television interview with BBC Sport in Valencia.
Speaking to the BBC ahead of the final Grand Prix of the season in Valencia, Rossi, whose contract expires at the end of next season, appeared to suggest that he would not sign a new contract with Yamaha if they decided to keep teammate Jorge Lorenzo in 2011.
He told Italian newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport that his words had been incorrectly interpreted, stressing that he expects to remain at Yamaha after 2010. He also dismissed suggestions that his words were an “ultimatum” to Yamaha management or that he wanted to control who his teammate would be in 2011.
During the interview with Suzi Perry, Rossi was asked about his options for 2011 and whether he would remain with the constructor’s champions, answering; “Not sure at 100 percent. It depends what happens next year.”
When pressed on the issue, Rossi added: “You know, I think Yamaha has to decide between me and Jorge.
“For 2011. It depends. Depends a lot. Is early to say. I have anyway a great option that is Ducati. To change bike and try to win with the Italian bike.”
Rossi did later stress that he would prefer to finish his career with Yamaha, although speculation has linked him with a move to Ducati for much of this season.
“But I prefer at this moment to stay with Yamaha, because I think the love between me and Yamaha – our relationship – is something special and change bike is ‘unfaithful’”, he added. “I think for Yamaha it is very important that I finish my career together with them, and also for me it is important.”
