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Rossi rules out having a MotoGP team until 2021
Valentino Rossi says he will not enter MotoGP as a team owner in either 2019 or 2020, despite Tech 3's split with Yamaha creating an opportunity for his VR46 squad to step up to the premier class.
David Gruz
Edited: Mar 1, 2018, 8:10 PM
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It was recently announced that Tech 3 will put an end to its 18-year collaboration with Yamaha, with teams such as Avintia and Angel Nieto expressing interest to replace the French squad.
Another option was thought to be a new team entered by Rossi, which Yamaha previously stated would be the manufacturer's priority.
However, when the Italian was asked whether entering MotoGP as a team owner is an option in the near future, he ruled out such a move until at least 2021.
He also said that "most likely I will still be racing" until then, hinting at his yet-to-be-confirmed contract extension with Yamaha.
"We thought about it, it was a nice idea, but we can’t do it," said Rossi after the opening day of the Qatar MotoGP test.
"For the next two years I won’t have a team in MotoGP with Yamaha, also because most likely I will still be racing.
"It could be something to consider in future, when I stop racing, but not in 2019 or 2020.
"The situation is quite clear, although I didn’t expect [Tech 3 boss Herve] Poncharal would leave Yamaha."
Rossi completed the first Qatar MotoGP test day in seventh while his teammate Maverick Vinales set the pace, rebounding from a troubled Buriram test.
Additional reporting by Oriol Puigdemont
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