Nine-time world champion Valentino Rossi is set to wait until the opening few MotoGP races of 2018 have passed before he decided whether to race on or hang it up.

The Italian megastar was front and centre at his Movistar Yamaha team’s launch, and said he is in no rush to make a call one way or another but motivation to continue with training could be a factor.

“Usually we speak always about two years, but it can be also one. Yamaha is open. We will think and we will speak together to try to understand, but it can be one or two. I want to wait especially for the test and maybe the first three races of the season,” Rossi said at the launch.

“We are quite ready and I think we don’t have to discuss a lot about the contract, so we are positive, optimistic. We are not in a rush and I think that we will say something after the test days.

"I have to decide if I am still there, I have enough motivation to give 100 per cent, to keep concentration and train every day. Or I prefer to stay at home on the sofa to see the races on the television, or to work with the young riders. This is the decision that I have to make if I want to continue or not.”