16/09/2005
NEWS STORY
MotoGP legend Valentino rossi has poured cold water on talk of him planning to switch to F1 in 2007 following a series of tests with Ferrari.
In response to recent comments made by Ross Brawn, when the Englishman claimed that the Italian would take part in a series of tests, Rossi said: "When I hear this interview from Ross Brawn, for me it's very funny because I don't know anything about it. For me, it is a lot of bullshit because if I have already decided on another year in MotoGP for sure. And for sure if I do another year it's to try to win, so I think it's already a big effort to try for the championship. And anyway it's the main event for me.
"I don't have time to do a lot of tests for the car," he told reporters in Japan ahead of this weekend's MotoGP event. "And at this point, I haven't made my decision. So at the end of the day this is the most important thing.
"I haven't decided whether to go to cars," he continued. "Maybe yes, but maybe no. Speaking already about tests for me is like speaking about 10 years in the future. I don't know what I'm doing next week, I certainly don't know about what I'll be doing in two years' time."
"I think a lot about my future, for sure," he added. "But, seriously, I haven't decided what's happening. Because this tactic has always worked for me in the past, I always think about next month, not two years' time."
Referring to the claim that he will tests for the Maranello outfit once every month, ahead of a full-time switch to F1 in 2007, he said: "It's impossible that I could test the Ferrari once a month because is there is not enough time. Four tests is one story, 12 tests is another.
"I have time," he continued. "I have time and Ferrari knows this. Because this interview with Ross Brawn forgets one important thing, my decision, because I haven't decided. And Ferrari knows this. I prefer to do (with Ferrari) some other tests next year, if I decide it's possible that I race with Formula One. If not it's useless. Maybe I try to do another sport. Maybe I'll never race in Formula One."
With the 2005 MotoGP title almost won, having won eleven races, Rossi said: "To win I need to personally be 100 percent at this sport. "It's not easy for me to win. It's not possible.
"In all my life I am a motorcycle rider for 100 percent. Maybe I'll do some testing in the future. I don't know. If next year, and next year for sure I race here for Yamaha, my effort is 100 percent in this championship."