Rossi ready to consider Ducati move

The Italian rider struggled to match Ducati rival Casey Stoner's form this year, with the Australian going on to take 10 victories on his way to the title.

Rossi won just four races and finished in third place in the standings after retiring from the last race, where he needed just one point to secure the runner-up spot, with mechanical problems.

The Yamaha rider has a contract with his team until the end of next season, but Rossi admits he will consider his options if the new bike fails to impress him.

"Let's see how this devilish engine improves. If it improves then we can wait one more year," the Italian told Gazzetta dello Sport. "If there's nothing to do, amen. I have a good relationship with both, but I'd certainly like Ducati because they're Italian."

Rossi believes Stoner would have no problems partnering him at Ducati.

"I don't think he'd say no," Rossi said. "Maybe he'd like to fight with the same bike. OK, that's a big one..."

He added: "Stoner is not an overnight sensation, but to be the new Valentino he needs to win more, by fighting hard against Valentino and against Pedrosa too. In any case he won't be the new Valentino, he will be Stoner."

Rossi also reckons both Honda and Yamaha underestimated Ducati this year, with the Italian bike's engine showing it was a step ahead of its rivals.

"All the Japanese manufacturers have," he said. "Ducati have been intelligent and aggressive and they have worked better. We were competitive against Honda, but they have the money and the people to recover in a short time, something which Yamaha have lacked."

Rossi won the titles with Yamaha in 2004 and 2005, but has been beaten in the past two seasons. The Italian reckons Yamaha now need more resources in order to fight on top.

"Yamaha has never been the quickest bike but this year we were even 15-20 km/h slower," he said. "We have suffered from the reduction of fuel capacity: each time we tried to do something we broke down.

"If I want to win they must make some important changes. We need more capable people and more money."