Valentino Rossi shrugs off latest Ferrari F1 link

Valentino Rossi has brushed aside the latest speculation linking him with a shock move to Ferrari in Formula One – despite showing his adeptness at pit stops during last weekend’s Le Mans MotoGP race.

The Italian has been constantly linked with a multi-million pound switch ever since he first tested for Ferrari back in 2004.

But when Rossi signed his latest Yamaha contract to keep him in MotoGP until the end of 2010, it seemed he’d killed off the story for good.

Not so, as in Le Mans the subject emerged again in light of the latest furore engulfing F1 over the implementation of a controversial £40m budget cap to tackle the credit crunch.

Rossi was grilled on whether he’d been asked to drive a third Ferrari in 2011, or whether he would sign a deal if the legendary Italian brand moved to a breakaway series if Ferrari quit F1.

“I’d be tempted but I’m under contract to Yamaha,“ laughed the Fiat Yamaha rider. “It is true that I’ve talked with Ferrari.

“Last week I read that maybe next year I’ll be racing with a red car. It is a wonderful idea but I want to say straightway that it is something very difficult. I have a contract with Yamaha for next year and I think it is unlikely and probably impossible.

“I believe in the end the FIA and Ferrari will come to an agreement. My path to Ferrari is not possible and for 2011 there is no offer,“ said Rossi.

The 30-year-old surrendered his MotoGP world title lead in France last weekend after pitting three times in the wet/dry race.

He goes into his home race in Mugello later this month trailing Fiat Yamaha team-mate Jorge Lorenzo by a single point after the Spaniard won for the second time in three races in Le Mans.