KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 11 — Seven-time Moto Grand Prix (GP) world champion, Valentino Rossi of Italy has reiterated his commitment to joining Malaysian-based team, Petronas Yamaha Sepang Racing Team (SRT) next season.
Without giving details, the 41-year-old Italian, fondly called ‘The Doctor’, asserted that he had no plans to retire for the time being.
“We need to take time with (my team) Monster Energy Yamaha and we are not in a hurry, but we are close to signing (the deal) with (Petronas Yamaha SRT).
“I will race with Petronas (Yamaha SRT) next year, and I want to say it’s 99 per cent because it’s not signed yet, but maybe (at Catalunya GP) in Barcelona (on Sept 27), we can make the announcement,” he was quoted as saying at a pre-race press conference ahead of the San Marino GP, this weekend.
Prior to this, Petronas Yamaha SRT principal, Datuk Razlan Razali revealed that Rossi was on the verge of joining the team, but the latter did not sign the deal yet, since he needed to iron out some issues with his team.
— Bernama
