San Carlo Honda boss Fausto Gresini has played down speculation he could be in line to pick up nine-time World Champion Valentino Rossi should the Italian end his relationship with Ducati at the end of the 2012 MotoGP season, saying it would be nice but pie in the sky.

Rossi's outburst on Italian television after the Qatar race, where he said the GP12 was un-rideable and that the firm didn't listen to anything he said when it came to changing the bike, has apparently caused a deep rift and prompted speculation he could be looking for a satellite ride in 2013.

"Valentino have on my team, it's only a fantasy and Valentino than I have ever spoken. Of course, I'd be very happy and honoured! It is an honour for a small team like ours to have Valentino Rossi as a pilot, but this is just pure speculation," said Gresini.