Rossi sticks with bikes, for now

Multiple MotoGP champion Valentino Rossi will not make a switch to Formula 1 until at least 2007. The Italian superstar committed himself to at least two more years in motorcycle racing before he considers any change to four-wheeled motorsport

Oct 31, 2004, 3:36 PM

"I don't know about my future," Rossi told the BBC, before going onto win the Moto GP finale in Valencia, having already secured Yamaha's first title since Wayne Rainey's in 1992.

"For sure I have one more year on my contract with Yamaha," he said, "and that won't be my last in bikes. Then I will decide what to do."

The Italian tested a Ferrari F2004 at the team's Fiorano test track last April and has previously admitted his desire to race in F1 one day.

Rossi began his career in karts before following his father's footsteps into bike racing. He has since won world championship titles in every class, 125cc, 250cc, 500cc and has taken the MotoGP crown for the last three years.

But his desire for four-wheeled competition remains undiminished and he has competed in sporadic rally events including the Rally GB and the rally-based Race of Champions in the past.