SEVEN-TIME MotoGP champion Valentino Rossi could be joining Petronas Yamaha Sepang Racing Team (SRT) in 2021.
SRT boss Datuk Razlan Razali has not ruled out the possibility of signing Rossi to beef up his team.
Rossi’s future remains in doubt after SRT’s Rookie of the Year (2019) Fabio Quartararo recently signed a two-year contract with the Yamaha factory team for 2021-2022 as a direct replacement for the Italian.
The 40-year-old, nicknamed The Doctor, is said to be contemplating hanging up his leathers at the end of the season or joining SRT in what would be a direct swap with Quartararo.
Rossi is expected to decide on his future by the middle of the year.
Razlan said SRT have not made any contact with Rossi.
“At the moment, we have not made any plans for 2021. We are still looking at who is best qualified to join the team,” said Razlan yesterday.
“It is an honour that Rossi is interested in us. We, however, have not discussed anything yet.
“For now, we do not have any intent to sign him.
“But is there a chance (of us signing him)? I’d say there is a chance if Rossi himself comes to meet us and expresses his intent to join us.
“Then we would open discussion not only with Rossi but also with (sponsors) Petronas.”
There could be up to two seats to fill at SRT next season as the satellite outfit’s other rider Franco Morbidelli, whose contract ends at the end of this year, has yet to decide his future.
The MotoGP season will begin at the Losail International Circuit (Qatar) on March 6-8.