Valentino Rossi denies V8 Supercar deal is close

Valentino Rossi has denied he is close to agreeing a deal to test drive a V8 Supercar in Australia.

Rossi was approached about a test and a possible race opportunity by more than one team at the recent Australian Grand Prix in Phillip Island.

But car racing mad Rossi, who has competed in world rally events and tested Ferrari’s Formula One car, said he had no immediate plans to jump behind the wheel of a V8 Supercar in the Australia-based touring car series.

The Fiat Yamaha rider said: “I like that type of car but I don’t know when I will drive one. I spoke to some guys who came to Phillip Island and they offered me a car to test but now it is difficult because to go to Australia for me is quite a long way.”

Rossi said it was unlikely he would drive a V8 until he’d quit MotoGP and added: “I would like to do it but in three or four years when I finish with the motorcycle. I am not in a hurry.

“If I am in Australia and stayed for one week between one test and one race for MotoGP it is possible but if I have to travel directly to Australia just to try the car I think it is difficult.”