Rossi, whose contract with Ducati expires at the end of 2012, said in January that he wished to pen a two-year extension.
That piece of paper remains unsigned, however, while speculation linking him with a return to Yamaha or Honda, either as part of a factory or satellite team, is understood to be no more than that.
Rossi has experienced a humbling 18 months since teaming up with Ducati in a match initially billed as made in heaven; the marriage of a genuine global superstar with the famous Italian marque.
But he finished last year without a win for the first time in his career and lies ninth in the standings this term; the pace of his bike way off that of the Japanese outfits.
“The Doctor”, as he is known to his fans around the world, managed a seventh place at Estoril on Sunday, having qualified ninth, which was seen as a decent result, a sign of how far expectations have fallen.
Much hope is being pinned on a new engine, which was due to be trialled in Portugal on Monday, only for the first in-season test to be rained off.
But a sudden turnaround in form remains far from unlikely. Ducati, which has just been bought by Audi, does not have the budget to improve the bike sufficiently to bring it closer to the front-runners. The race team is largely funded by Ferrari sponsors Philip Morris, but is said to be already over budget this year.
Privately it is felt by Rossi’s closest friends and advisers that now is the time to retire, before any lasting damage is done either to his reputation or more worryingly, himself.
At 33, the skills which carried him to nine world titles, including seven in the premier class, are on the wane and he is reportedly still being hampered by long-standing injuries.
Only his pride, and the thought that he could miraculously find himself back on a winning bike, have kept him from throwing in the towel already.
But The Daily Telegraph understands that Rossi has now told his inner circle — his father, Graziano and his manager, Davide Brivio — that he will not race beyond this year. His decision may have been influenced by the likely departure this winter of his legendary chief engineer and mentor, Australian Jerry Burgess, for personal reasons.
As one of the most high profile sportsmen on the planet, Rossi’s marketability remains as high as ever. He is unlikely to go before the two American races at Laguna Seca in July and Indianapolis in August. Then there is San Marino and the chance to race one more time at Misano. By then it is only a couple of months until the end of the season.
Rossi, who set competitive times when testing for Ferrari a few years ago, is believed to want to try his hand at various four-wheel pursuits. Rallying and sports cars remain an option.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/oth...is-season.html
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