Ducati offer Vale a big bag of money to stay, I doubt the money will make any difference what so ever to his final decision. Rossi appears to be giving Ducati the opportunity to produce the bike he wants before announcing his future plans plus of course with Audi behind them now one would like to think things can only get better. But the clock is ticking, Valentino is not getting any younger and realistically possibly only has two years left. So does he keep faith in Ducati and risk finishing his career on a less than competitive machine? Does he jump back to Yamaha on a bike which could see Rossi finishing back at the top? I think if he does go back to Yamaha he is going to carry the weight of the world on his shoulders and have no excuse not to produce the goods. Then of course it would be every Italians dream come true to see Rossi win the championship on a Ducati. So what would you do if you were in his shoes? Chris.
Run and dont look back. Judging by his body language at the top of the corkscrew, I think he's had enough of the red bike letting him down. I want to see him competative he is a pleasure to watch.
It's definately not about the money for vale - it has to be about getting the right package for him, and I am not sure that is on a Ducati, Italian or not. IMHO I can see him finishing his career on a Honda, although you never know we may yet see him taking Massa's seat in the Ferrari ;D
Well the prospect of a future deal in some form of motorsport driving for Audi is a good carrot for him to stay on with Ducati. Chris.
Stay with Ducati and sort the bike out with them, and rest in the knowledge that I'd made a real difference to biking in general as the technology will eventually filter into production machines. Negotiate a Audi based drive for when I finally retire. Oh and I'd take the €17m in a flash :smile:
I think if he goes to Yamaha he'll be in the poop personally. Jorge is the number 1 there now no matter about sponsorship, I really doubt he'll beat Jorge on the Yam, maybe occasionally but I think the sands of time have passed and JL will stay in front in that team. Frankly as much as it pains me to say it I'd stay with Ducati, but even that's a risk for me as I'm just not seeing results from him in anyway and whilst we can all point the finger at the bike I think we all know it's down to riding styles as well and I can't help but think they may develop further with another rider at the helm. Its a tricky one I'm sure, but saying that when being offered millions having not won anything in two years isn't a bad place to be at is it Im sure the ducati will come good eventually but I'm really keen to see what another rider thinks of the package which unfortunately won't happen.
I know that things have moved on but Stoner could make the Ducati sing so my guess is that Vale has lost his mojo since the crash in Sepang :/
Like boxers never want to retire on the back of a defeat, Rossi isn't going to want to drift away with the memories of failure at Ducati as our last images of him. If Audi effectively bankroll a huge off-season development, it still wouldn't guarantee anything quickly and in any case why would Audi pour huge money into this project? they will need to see a return and Rossi gives them marketing gold which is why I think they will within reason only, probably not enough to compete next season really. I think Rossi needs to get his head either on board again or leave, he's probably enjoying it less than Stoner and look what Casey did when he figured that out...
He needs to get back on a competitive bike as he hasn't time to wait for Ducati to get their act together, so yes off to Yamaha despite the drop in salary which probably dosen't mean a whole lot to him at this stage. Fly in the ointment may be his pit crew which Yamaha are rumoured not to be able to afford (or probably want) . Cant see Rossi ditching Burgess and co. I want to see him finish his career and go out on top with another championship win,even on a Yamaha.
I'd stay put, make the Ducati work and leave a legacy of 9 World Championships and a better Ducati GP bike.....it would be nice if he finishes his career as Champ on a Ducati too, but......
I'd love to see that happen but unless Ducati (Audi) chuck money and resource by the bucket load I think he should go, Yamaha is his best bet he doesn't need the money and I'm sure he'd return to alien status from the first round, doubt he's got another championship in him now but he should still be able to mix it up week in week out.
+1 problem is that no amount of cash will put the bike at the top now.. or they would have to buy the wholde yamaha crew No money can bridge this gap in one winter.. And it is not the bike that is Vale's biggest problem.. if your head is already with cars, go to the cars then.. this leads to God being very mediocre between the mere mortals like Nicky... they are down on all fields: the bikes their top rider no talent to replace him in sight. no bike to offer to the talent they may spot... the one that could fight passed away last year.. For Vale personally : going back to yam and not beating Jorge will only convince a lot of people that the ducati may be a smaller problem than the state of affairs in his head.. it will leave a very nasty taste in many mouths... Cal: would love to see him on a duc, but not beating Dovi also is indicative... grtz Koen
The question was what would we do :wink:. Personally I would have a ski challet up in the Alps with a garage full of bikes and a nice yacht on the west coast of Scotland. I don't have expensive tastes.
get on a competive bike to save your reputation ,he has been exposed as being unable to develope a bike , he won titles on Honda that was a winning bike he went to Yamaha the bike wasn't developed by him he won then lorenzo soon caught him up, he went to Ducati ,Stoner had won a title and races on it and couldn't do nothing with it, i heard its had 26 chassis!!
