Rossi tipped for rally career

Rossi will compete in a Subaru Impreza in Rally New Zealand this weekend, and this week's Autosport magazine reports that Richards believes that the Italian would like to switch to the WRC after he retires from MotoGP.

"One of the goals that he has in mind, when he's finished racing, is to do a couple of seasons in the WRC, and that's something we are very keen on and looking at," said Richards.

"I know he would like to look at the WRC, and Subaru have worked on this low-key chance for him to develop properly."

Richards believes that Rossi has taken the right approach to rallying so far, competing in just a handful of small events since his last WRC appearance in 2002.

"It's very sensible the way he is starting out, without any of the media attention that surrounded him when he went for his F1 test," said Richards.

"I know he found all of the interest a terrible distraction and it would be difficult to get the chance to develop under that kind of scrutiny."

Rossi is hoping to finish the rally this weekend, as he assesses his potential in a WRC car.

"I'm going to New Zealand to do some kilometres and find out if I like competing in the sport," he said.

"I've always loved rallies, and I've driven lots of the cars, but only at motor shows mostly. I've never finished a real rally."