Yamaha ready to renew Rossi's contract

"Yes, because Valentino will be a winner for at least another couple of seasons," Furusawa told Gazzetta dello Sport when asked if they were renewing Rossi's deal.

He added: "Valentino can ride a Yamaha for as long as he wants to, while he manages to stay at the front."

The Italian rider's contract expires at the end of this year, but the he has made it clear he will be happy to stay at Yamaha now that he has a competitive bike.

Rossi has won the last two races to take the championship lead for the first time since the start of last year, where the seven-time champion finished in third place.

Furusawa said Rossi's frustrating season was down to Yamaha not giving him a good enough bike.

"It was Yamaha at fault, not Rossi's," he added. "The credit for our improvements must go to our technicians, who have found what we needed in a fair way, through calculating data.

"They've worked both on the track, and by getting up to date in the research facilities and on technical documentation.

"The M1 that will repeat last Sunday's triumphs is the result of this huge technical and organizational effort. We've taken some of Ducati's power, but not all, and rideability from Honda. And we're already working towards 2009."

Yamaha scored a 1-2-3 at last weekend's French Grand Prix, with Rossi leading Jorge Lorenzo and Colin Edwards.

Furusawa praised the Italian rider, whom he believes will take the title this year.

"That was a good result, well done to Lorenzo and Edwards," Furusawa said. "But most of all I love Valentino, at this moment more than Jorge, I'm sorry to say. Because what counted most at Le Mans was that Rossi was on the top step of the podium.

"He has demonstrated to be the strongest rider at the moment. Rossi will win his eighth title. Lorenzo and Pedrosa will be able to beat him in some races but in the end he will win."