Yamaha Hope to Persuade Rossi to Stay

Rossi has been tipped to make the jump to Formula One in 2007, providing he shows well in a series of tests with Ferrari planned for the next 12 months.

But despite Ferrari confirming that they are serious about getting Rossi up to speed and then into F1, the Italian's bike chiefs have vowed to do everything they can to make sure he remains on two wheels.

Yamaha team boss Davide Brivio told Motor Cycle News: "I am not convinced that he will leave at the end of 2006.

"We were informed the last time he tested the Ferrari that this would happen. There was no surprise with the latest announcements."

Rossi's current contract with Yamaha does not prevent him testing for Ferrari, although Brivio is convinced that the runs for the Maranello outfit will not detract from his commitment to winning in Moto GP.

"He is intelligent enough to choose to test at the best times so it doesn't interfere with his racing programme in MotoGP," he added.

"I am sure that while he races motorcycles his target will be to win. Yamaha has complete trust in Valentino and believes he is capable of making the right decisions, so that what he does in his free time over the next year won't distract him from his number one job of winning motorcycle GPs."