London, July 10: MotoGP world champion Valentino Rossi has said it would be a dream to ride for the Ducati team, but says his priority is to remain with Honda. Rossi's contract with Honda expires this year and the Italian is in talks about a new deal.
But negotiations have a hit a stumbling block over the length of the contract, with Honda anxious to hold on to their prize asset with a longer-term contract, but Rossi preferring the freedom of a one-year deal.

The protracted talks have opened the way for Ducati to make an offer, and Rossi admits to being attracted by a move to the Italian giants. He said: "Of course, it is a dream to ride with Ducati. All Italians want to ride for Ducati. And the bike is fast.
"But my first target is to stay with Honda. We're speaking with Honda. They want a two-year contract.
"I want to sign for one year because it suits me better to make a choice every year. But Honda don't want that. That's the biggest problem."



Rossi denied that the delay in signing a new contract was about money. "Money is important for everyone, but the difference between the money on offer from one team and the other teams is not that different.



"It's more about the level of the bike and the feeling with the team and the engineers."



The 24-year-old added that he will quit MotoGP in two or three years, by which time he hopes to be ready to fulfil his dream of competing in Formula One. He said: "F1 is still a dream. Maybe it's possible - I don't know what will happen in the future.



"I will stay in MotoGP for another two or three years. I'm quite young so maybe I have enough time. I don't know if it's possible, but maybe."


Bureau Report