Yamaha confident Valentino Rossi will stay

Yamaha boss Masao Furusawa is confident the Italian will not leave the Japanese factory when his current contract expires at the end of the 2010 MotoGP world championship.

The 30-year-old, who wrapped up a ninth world title in Malaysia last weekend, insists he will decide on his future beyond 2010 by the middle of next season.

Until that decision though arrives though, Rossi’s future is certain to be the subject of intense speculation.

The seven-times MotoGP world champion has already been the subject of strong rumours linking him with a big money move to Ducati in 2011.

But Yamaha boss Masao Furusawa told MCN: “Maybe once or twice Valentino has come up with the idea of moving to Ducati, but for the future four out of six wins for Yamaha, I’m sure he’s pretty confident with Yamaha.

“As long as we keep a good relationship with Valentino, I’m very sure and confident he will continue his relationship with Yamaha.”