Valentino Rossi guaranteed premier-class MotoGP team entry
MotoGP boss Carmelo Ezpeleta says Valentino Rossi's team is guaranteed an entry if it decides to join the premier class, irrespective of the current limit on the grid's size
Rossi's VR46 outfit entered Moto3 in 2014 and has added a Moto2 programme this year, fielding youngsters from the Italian's Rider Academy.
The MotoGP grid is currently capped at 24 entries - with the 24th, to move up from the current 23, reserved for LCR to return to running two bikes - while the existing satellite outfits have the sole right to those non-factory slots until 2021.
It has been suggested that VR46 moving up to MotoGP after Rossi retires would be the best way to keep him involved in the championship and Ezpeleta says a way would be found to make that happen, if the seven-time champion wants it.
"What we want is for Valentino to remain an active part of the championship," Ezpeleta told Autosport.
"Will he have a team? If he wants to, yes.
"We will not grant any more licences in MotoGP, apart from if Valentino asks us.
"If he wants a team in MotoGP, he will have it.
"I'm sure if we ask the other teams, they would all want us to offer that possibility [to Rossi]."
The 38-year-old is in the first season of his latest two-year Yamaha contract, and is keeping the door ajar to racing beyond the end of 2018.
Ezpeleta says that, like Rossi's decision on when to retire if he maintains the form that has him leading the 2017 championship, the ball will be in his court.
"The only thing that has to happen is that he wants to, the same as the current situation," he added.
"Why does he keep racing? Because he likes it and has a good time."
Share Or Save This Story
KTM signs Marquez and Di Giannantonio for the 2027 MotoGP season
Marquez admits he "didn't want to walk into the paddock" because he "associated it with pain"
How Trackhouse is preparing for the post-Brivio era
Rossi faces key decision: Who will replace di Giannantonio at VR46?
Why Rossi is putting pressure on Ducati over its 2027 MotoGP rider line-up
Why Rossi's serious approach to car racing in 2024 may create a dilemma
Nicky Hayden: Remembering motorsport's much-loved "one-off" five years on
Morbidelli/Rossi relationship won’t change as MotoGP team-mates
Why Alex Marquez doesn't care about 'shutting up' MotoGP critics
Alesi to return to Super Formula in Fuji car-sharing deal
Why Red Bull and Verstappen struggled at Silverstone – and expect the same at Spa
Steiner explains why teams are forgoing a profit share with MotoGP
How Leclerc has changed his steering wheel software for the first time since joining Ferrari
Subscribe and access Autosport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
Top Comments