Grapevine: Yamaha Deny Rossi F1 Rumours

"I certainly did not say that he would be in F1 from 2007," Yamaha team director Davide Brivio told reporters in Le Mans, venue for this weekend's French Grand Prix.

Italian daily Gazetta dello Sport had quoted Brivio as saying: "We have already agreed on a one-year contract and we know that from 2007 he (Rossi) will be in Formula One".

Brivio said on Friday he had not been that specific.

"I think it's important to set the record straight," he said in Le Mans. "I said that we are going to start working on an extension to Valentino's contract and we will be discussing (it) after (the June 5 Italian Grand Prix at) Mugello.

"I was then asked about any plans Valentino might have to drive in Formula One and I said that would be Valentino's decision and it might happen. From Yamaha's side we hope that he will still be riding for us but I cannot predict Valentino's future."

Rossi himself was reluctant to comment, saying "I have said that I would be interested in racing a car one day but at the moment I'm concentrating fully on motorcycling".

Rossi has test driven with the Ferrari F1 team and there has long been speculation in Italian media that he could eventually take over from German Michael Schumacher with the Italian team - a partnership that would delight fans and sponsors in Italy.