Rossi to try new engine again

The Italian evaluated the new engine in the post-race test at Brno, and while the team do not feel that they made much progress at the test, Rossi is keen to compare the engines this weekend.

"We had a new engine with a pneumatic valve to test at Brno," said Rossi. "It is the first step of development and I think on Friday we will try to use it here.

"At the moment we are not fast enough to challenge for wins, so we need to see if we have a small advantage compared to the normal engine."

Despite the potential boost offered by the new engine, Rossi believes that the majority of his disadvantage to his rivals is still down to tyres.

"We are working a lot with the tyres because I think that is the bigger problem," he added. "We've found some small improvements, but not the big step that we need to stay with Bridgestone."

Rossi is now 60 points adrift of Casey Stoner in the championship with six races to go, but the Italian has vowed to continue fighting for the title until it is impossible for him to win it.

"The championship is finished when the mathematics say it is finished," he said. "But 60 points is a lot, and for the last three races we have not been at the top.

"We are not fast enough to win or fight for the podium, so it will be tough. But we have six races, so we will try the maximum."

The Italian also touched briefly on the recent allegations of tax evasion that he has been facing.

"For me the treatment was not very good because I hear a lot and I read a lot of strange things, not real things.

"But I think I do everything by the law. I'm quiet because it is like this, and now we will see."