Valentino Rossi: Retirement decision depends on results

With only a one-year Yamaha contract extension in place for this year's switch to Petronas, Valentino Rossi has confirmed he will decide on whether to race on in 2022 during the MotoGP summer break.

And the deciding factor will be his results.

The 42-year-old hasn't won a race since 2017, but returned to the podium at Jerez last season and was in contention for several other rostrums, most notably at Misano (passed by Joan Mir on the final lap) and Catalunya (fell from second place).

"I will decide during the summer break. So, in the middle of the season," Rossi said. "I want to make half a season and then my decision will be based on the results. If I’m strong and can fight for the podium, can fight for the victory, I can continue for another year. Or if not, no."

"It’s not an easy decision, but for sure everything depends on the result," added the nine time world champion. "If I can be competitive, if I can fight for the podium, for the victory, I can continue for another year. This is my idea.

"But I don’t speak to the team or to Yamaha yet. Maybe they say to me I don’t have a decision! (laughs) Yes, my life will change a lot when I stop but I’m not very worried. I know I have long, long career and I’m happy.

"About my [physical condition], I can have also another season but it depends on the results. And when you do eventually stop after 26 years of this life, something will change. But then I want to continue to be a driver and race with the cars. So maybe it will change, but not a lot I hope!"

Rossi's VR46 team, which will oversee his brother Luca Marini's debut premier-class season with Avintia Ducati, is also considering a full  MotoGP entry for 2022.