Yamaha expects Rossi talks to begin ‘around Mugello’

Yamaha has yet to enter into talks with rider Valentino Rossi about the possibility of the Italian extending his stay in MotoGP beyond 2018, according to factory managing director Lin Jarvis.

But, Jarvis believes it will take until June of next year – “around Mugello time” - before the Italian knows whether he sees himself competing at this level into and beyond his 40th birthday.

Rossi, 38 years old, is currently in the first of a two-year deal with Yamaha, but indicated four days after ending a 12-month winless streak with a stunning victory at Assen that he was keen to continue after his current deal expires if he is retains his competitiveness into the new year.

“When I signed this contract I think maybe it was the last one, but I wasn't sure," Rossi said at the German Grand Prix. "I will decide next season, at the beginning of next season. But if I'm still competitive and able to win I want to continue."

The Italian showed himself capable of competing for a tenth world title by scoring five podiums in the first twelve races, before a leg break sustained while training ended those hopes. In his 22nd season in grand prix racing, he was 26 points behind the championship lead when the incident occurred.

And Jarvis feels contract negotiations will not begin as early as they did in 2016, when Rossi was confirmed to continue as early as the first round at Qatar in March.

Asked whether a contract extension has been discussed between factory and rider, Jarvis said, “No, because we have a two-year contract. As you said, last year we did it in Qatar, which was at the beginning of the season. Now we’re only a little over half-way through the two-year deal now.

“I expect we will end up discussing with him, and I don’t think it’ll be as early as Qatar next year. I think it could be around Mugello time that he will know whether he wants to extend his contract beyond the end of ’18. But so far we didn’t discuss it. Not at all.”