The nine-time Grand Prix World Champion was removed from Yamaha’s factory team and added to the satellite Sepang Racing team under a factory contract.
With his current contract only for the 2021 season, Rossi’s MotoGP future beyond this year is uncertain. SRT boss Razlan Razali revealed this week that the Italian must meet performance criteria before talks with Yamaha about 2022 can take place.
Rossi hasn’t won a Grand Prix since the 2017 Dutch TT and has only got three podiums in the past two years, which has led to his motivation to keep going being questioned.
Although Rossi repeatedly voiced his main driving force, he insists that this is not the only reason why he is on the MotoGP grid.
“It’s life, 26 seasons are very long,” said Rossi when asked by Autosport what he expected from his 26th season in Grand Prix racing.
“But I don’t just race to spend time. This is a very important season for me as I’ve come from the last two seasons – ’19 and ’20 – which were less than expected, especially in the result.
“The results will be important, will be the key. I want to be stronger, I want to be more competitive than the last two years, fight for the podium, win races and try to be competitive all season.
Valentino Rossi
“I hope that even if the COVID is not fixed, the season will be more normal than last year so that we can use all the different routes at the right time.
“And the goal is to be strong and competitive from start to finish.”
Much like his original plan to decide his future in 2021 before the COVID-19 pandemic hit, Rossi wants to evaluate his performance in the first half of this season before calling out on his future.
Although Yamaha’s alleged performance criteria are unknown, Rossi says that if he can fight for podiums and still win, it will move him to further develop his career.
“I will decide during the summer break,” he said of his plans for 2022. “Well, in the middle of the season, I want to do half a season [before deciding].
“My decision is the result. If I’m strong and can fight for the podium, then I can fight for victory, I can go on for another year.
“Or if not, no. So I’ll choose summer.
“It’s not an easy decision, but it certainly all depends on the results. I think if I can be competitive. If I can fight for victory, for the podium, I can go on for another year.
“But that’s my idea. I don’t speak to the team, I don’t speak to Yamaha. Maybe they tell me I have no decision! It is possible.
“It will change my life a lot, but I’m not very concerned. I know I’ve had a long, long career and I’m happy. “