Rumours were rife in Malaysia that Yamaha’s multi-champion Valentino Rossi might not see out his full two-year contract, if there is not a radical improvement next year.

The Italian, whose own Australian GP ended in disappointment as he dropped back to sixth, signed up at Qatar at the start of this season, extending his stay until the end of 2020, when he will be 41 years old.

He has made no comment, but talk is that if there is not a radical improvement in 2019, he might call it a day.

Footnote: the same rumour mill suggests that Yamaha YZR-M1 project leader Kouji Tsuya, who led the chorus of public apology at the Austrian GP, is unlikely to return in 2019.

Rossi, Australian MotoGP2018

Michael Scott

Photos GnG