Despite a promising second test for Ducati, in which he circulated comfortably quicker than three of Ducati's four MotoGP riders had during the Italian Grand Prix, Sete Gibernau is still to give a clear answer regarding his future intentions.
Gibernau's latest comments cloud the issue further, the Spaniard on one hand revealing that various teams - not just Ducati - have shown interest in him, but at the same time openly doubting if he wants to put himself back into the pressure-cooker environment of
MotoGP.
"There are various possibilities on the table for me from different teams," the official MotoGP website quotes the 35-year-old as saying. "However, like I have said before, I live on a day-by-day basis. Competing regularly again would be a big effort and sacrifice, and I can't forget about that just because of the excitement of riding again.
"Anything can happen but, for the moment, nobody has presented me with everything that I need in order to return."
But with
Marco Melandri seen as unlikely to last the full season at Ducati Marlboro, after taking just one top ten finish from nine starts, Gibernau looks to be in the right place at the right time...
"I'm nobody's substitute," insisted Gibernau. "If there is a seat available, then one would have to think it over, but the delicate situation in which Marco finds himself demands that we treat the subject with a high level of respect."
Gibernau - a winner of nine 500cc/MotoGP races and runner-up to
Valentino Rossi in 2003 and 2004 - retired after an injury-scattered 2006 season for Ducati Marlboro.
Sete added that, even if he did make a return to race action, he may not be able to reach his previous level of performance.
"Obviously the idea [of returning] is attractive, but you have to give credit to the riders that are racing at the moment," he said. "I don't know if I would be at that level, and I have to be aware of this. Perhaps, were I to ride again, my goals would not necessarily include winning races."
Melandri will remain at Ducati until at least the US Grand Prix on July 20.
