Italian MotoGP legend Valentino Rossi said on Sunday he was in no hurry to retire amid speculation the veteran might quit the sport after several lean years.
The seven-time MotoGP champion was previously expected to decide his future mid-year, after being replaced at Yamaha by Frenchman Fabio Quartararo for the 2021 season. But after setting the fifth fastest lap time Sunday from a pool of 26 riders at the pre-season test in Malaysia, Rossi appeared to be in good spirits about the subject.
“The situation now looks like I have a bit more time... I’m not in a hurry,” he replied when asked if he would make a decision in July or August. Rossi, who turns 41 later this month, clocked his fastest lap time at 1m 58.541s on the 5.5km-long track on the Sepang test circuit.
He also said he wanted to see how the first half of the MotoGP season went this year. “The most important thing are the results,” he said. “I want to try to continue, but I will (only) continue if I am competitive.”
The MotoGP will see another test session in Qatar starting on February 22, with the season to begin on March 8.
