MotoGP tension with Marquez and Lorenzo will cool, Rossi expects

The Italian's on- and off-track clashes with Marquez set him at odds with both the Honda rider and Lorenzo through the last two 2015 grands prix, and contributed to Rossi losing the title to his Yamaha team-mate at the Valencia finale having led the championship all season.

But Rossi thinks the tension will fade over the winter.

"Now the story is very hot," he acknowledged.

"But next season other things will be important, especially the motivation to continue and to try another time.

"I'm not very worried about next year."

He reckons it will be up to Marquez whether their rivalry flares up again.

"About the future with Marquez, I don't know," he said.

"What can I say? What can I do?

"Do I have to stop because I'm 'scared'...?

"I just try to explain my point of view and to explain what's happened. The rest is not my job."

Rossi expects considering whether to continue in MotoGP into 2017 to be one of his primary focuses next year, as he approaches the end of the deal he signed with Yamaha last summer.

"This story doesn't change my plan," he said of how the Marquez rows might affect his longer-term intentions.

"I already have the contract signed with Yamaha. When I signed the contract, it's because I planned to race for a minimum of two seasons.

"This year I was competitive, I did a good job, so I can try to continue next year.

"After, I will decide what will happen."