Rossi extends Yam deal Valentino Rossi has surprised racing by extending his Yamaha contract by a year to the end of 2008, making sure the season is free from speculation about his future plans. The 2005 season was filled with talk that he might quit bike racing for F1, and few believe that it did anything but harm his 2006 title defence – which he ultimately lost. It will be his fifth year with Yamaha. The seven-time world champ said: “I’m very happy I renewed the contract with Yamaha until the end of 2008 so now I can just concentrate on racing this season. “I think that last year, when we fought back from what seemed an impossible situation to come so close to taking the title, showed what a fantastic team we are and this is why I want to stay with Yamaha. Send us your pictures, videos and articles to appear on motorcyclenews.com. Email them to mcn.online@emap.com “The past three years with Yamaha have been very positive and this is why I am pleased to stay. “The atmosphere in our garage is always relaxed and happy and I think that this is something very special and difficult to find. “I have great faith in Yamaha and I am very excited about my future and the future of the 800cc bike with them. “We are ready to challenge with the new 800cc and now this agreement gives us the chance to launch this challenge for the next two years.” Meanwhile it is expected that Yamaha will announce a new sponsorship deal imminently, with Fiat the favourites.

MOTOGP NewsThursday, 1st February 2007Rossi extends Yamaha deal to 2008. In something of a surprise move, Yamaha has announced that superstar Valentino Rossi has extended his current MotoGP contract until the end of 2008. The news terminates any speculation that the Italian, whose five-year reign as premier-class champion came to an unexpected end at the hands of Nicky Hayden last season, will switch to rallying or any other form of motorsport at the end of this year - when his previous contract had been due to expire. 'The Doctor', who has won a total of seven world titles in the 125cc, 250cc, 500cc and MotoGP classes, turns 28 this month and currently stands third in the all-time grand prix winners list. He is also one of the most popular and highly paid motor-sportsmen in the world. "I'm very happy I renewed the contract with Yamaha until the end of 2008 so now I can just concentrate on racing this season," said Rossi, hinting that the early contract extension has been done to avoid the huge speculation that followed his proposed F1 switch during 2006. "I think that last year, when we fought back from what seemed an impossible situation to come so close to taking the title, showed what a fantastic team we are and this is why I want to stay with Yamaha.

01/02/2007 Back

Rossi and Yamaha together for 2007 and 2008

Yamaha Motor Company Ltd and Valentino Rossi will continue to race together until the end of the 2008 season.

The next two seasons will see Rossi ride as part of Yamaha’s Official Factory Team, with which he has already won two MotoGP World Championship titles since joining the Factory in 2004. The Italian, who turns 28 this month, has won 25 Grand Prix during his three seasons with Yamaha and currently stands third in the all-time Grand Prix winners list.

Rossi, who is spearheading the rider development of Yamaha’s new 800cc motorcycle in the run-up to the new MotoGP season, will be back in action next week for Yamaha’s second test of the year in Sepang, Malaysia.

Lin Jarvis, Managing Director of Yamaha Motor Racing, commented “We are thrilled to confirm that our partnership with Valentino will continue for a fifth year in 2008, and it’s especially good to have completed all contract negotiations before the start of the rapidly approaching 2007 racing season. This now leaves Valentino free to concentrate solely on the job in hand – winning back the World Championship! The past three years with Valentino have been a huge success for the Yamaha brand worldwide, Valentino is a great champion and there is no doubt in our minds that he remains the best possible person to continue to lead Yamaha’s MotoGP effort for the foreseeable future.”

“I’m very happy I renewed the contract with Yamaha until the end of 2008 so now I can just concentrate on racing this season” said Rossi. “I think that last year, when we fought back from what seemed an impossible situation to come so close to taking the title, showed what a fantastic team we are and this is why I want to stay with Yamaha. The past three years with Yamaha have been very positive and this is why I am pleased to stay. The atmosphere in our garage is always relaxed and happy and I think that this is something very special and difficult to find. I have great faith in Yamaha and I am very excited about my future and the future of the 800cc bike with them. We are ready to challenge with the new 800cc and now this agreement gives us the chance to launch this challenge for the next two years”.