Rossi teases rally switch after MotoGP career

Valentino Rossi says when he calls time on his illustrious MotoGP career he wants to continue racing by switching to four-wheels.

The Movistar Yamaha MotoGP rider, who turns 37 in February, says his preparations for the 2016 MotoGP championship are already underway after narrowly losing in the title race to his team-mate Jorge Lorenzo.

While confirming his desire has grown even stronger to secure a tenth world title, and a eighth MotoGP world championship, Rossi feels that when it is time to end his MotoGP career he wants to continue competing and racing in cars.

"I have a great passion for cars because when I remember growing up, my father Graziano, when he stopped with the bikes he raced in rally," Rossi said. "It gives me a lot of passion like it did to him. I would like to race a lot with the cars when I finish with MotoGP but anyway I will try to stay for some more years in MotoGP and when I stop, for sure I can do something with the car, I don't know if it is rally or something else."

After claiming a fourth victory at the Monster Energy Monza Rally Rossi explained he likes to use these events to enjoy the off-season while also keeping sharp in race conditions.

Rossi, who briefly flirted with the idea of switching into Formula 1 in 2006 and tested for Ferrari, has previously entered the World Rally Championship on three occasions; in 2002 at the British Rally, in 2006 in New Zealand - finishing 11th - before returning to Britain in 2008 where he finished 12th.

Despite being open to any possibility of racing on four-wheels, Rossi's experience and talent means he could favour rallying as a possible option for the future but hasn't put a timescale on any plans.

"For a long, long time I've returned to this rally because I like this event," he explained. "You have the thrill of the race but less pressure than in MotoGP so I can enjoy it. I can drive this car which is fantastic. Also in our team we have Brivio and Uccio, so it always good fun."