MotoGP star Valentino Rossi may intend to sign another two-year contract after his current Ducati agreement expires, but the 32-year-old also confirmed that rallying is likely to take centre-stage once his two-wheeled career is over.
Although Rossi's most recent WRC appearance was back in 2008, the long-time rally fan competes annually on four-wheels in events such as the Monza Rally and finished runner-up to reigning eight-time
World Rally champion Sebastian Loeb in November's 2011 edition.
Rossi, driving a Ford Fiesta WRC, underlined his talent by twice beating the Frenchman over the nine asphalt stages.
“Rallying is always my great fashion. In Monza it was a very fun battle with Loeb and to beat him twice was fantastic,” said the seven time
MotoGP champion, speaking at this week's Wrooom Ducati/Ferrari press event at Madonna di Campiglio in Italy.
“As I've said in the past, when I finish in motorcycles I will do some programme in rallying. Maybe not the full world championship because it's very hard, but maybe a programme of six or seven races in a season.”
Rossi's third and most recent WRC appearance was in the 2008 edition of Wales Rally GB, when he finished twelfth in a Ford Focus.
The Italian's best WRC result is eleventh (in a Subaru) in the 2006 Rally of New Zealand, while he crashed out early during his WRC debut in the 2002 Rally GB, driving a Peugeot.
As well as rallying, Rossi has previously been linked with a Ferrari F1 drive, having tested for the team on several occasions. However that opportunity now seems to have passed.