Valentino Rossi never an option to replace Casey Stoner at HRC

It was heralded as a potential HRC dream team with Valentino Rossi and Marc Marquez together in a master and apprentice scenario for 2013.

The reality though was Rossi was never even considered a serious option to return to the Repsol Honda squad for the first time since 2003.

Having announced Marquez and Dani Pedrosa in its factory line-up in Mugello last weekend, HRC boss Shuhei Nakamoto admitted he had never spoken to Rossi and considered him an option to replace Casey Stoner, who will retire at the end of the season.

“I have always said that Valentino in the factory team is impossible and we never talked to him. He never called Honda too,“ Nakamoto told MCN.

The door on a shock return to Honda though has not been completely slammed in Rossi’s face.

A place could still be available in Fausto Gresini’s satellite squad, though it is not clear whether the Italian will lease an RC213V again next season.

There are rumours of Gresini and Honda’s relationship becoming increasingly strained, which Nakamoto eluded to in Mugello when he said: “Valentino in a satellite team is possible.

“I am very interested to work with Valentino. I only worked with him once at the Suzuka Eight-hour. First of all Fausto has to think about next year. Maybe two CRT bikes?”

The chances of Rossi moving to Honda though are remote. The 33-year-old has met Audi executives at the last two races in Germany and Italy to understand the German car giant’s plans having taken over Ducati.

Whether he is willing to gamble on Ducati transforming its fortunes remains to be seen but the paddock rumour mill is being dominated by talk of Rossi making a sensational return to Yamaha to partner bitter rival Jorge Lorenzo.

Yamaha is expected to decide on its second rider prior or during the US Grand Prix at Laguna Seca later this month.