Nine-time world champion Valentino Rossi has branded reports this week that he has signed for Petronas Yamaha as ‘fake’.

The current factory M1 rider said at the Jerez test that he is close to a deal but there are some small details that need to be confirmed.

“Yeah, the news that I signed the contract already is not true, is fake. But we are very close,” said Rossi.

“I want to continue in 2021, I speak with Yamaha and especially I speak already with Razlan, Zeelenberg and Stigefelt at Petronas and I have a very good feeling

We have some details to fix, especially the team, the people that will work for me. But it’s 99 percent I will race for Petronas in 2021, although I still haven’t signed.”

Rossi said that some of the personnel decisions are hanging on what Fabio Quartararo wants to do when he moves into The Doctor’s seat. He currently has crew chief Diego Gubbelini in his corner.

It is expected the deal will be announced at some point this weekend.