T♔his weekend’s first of two MotoGP rounds in Austria is set 🍎to begin a crucial second half of the 2021 season for Valentino Rossi. 

The nin💧e-time world champion’s future remains the subject of much discussion, as a move to Ducati with his own Aramco VR46 team is believed to be an option along with possible retirement.  

What could make a decision easier on whether he continues in 2022 or not is for Rossi’s results to improve after a difficult first﷽ half of 2021. 

Rossi has just one top ten finish through the opening nine races which came at Mugello, and with Austria being a difficult venue for Yamaha in recent years, a step forward in f🔯orm might not come until SIlverstone. 

Speaking ahead of a return to racing following the five week summer break, R๊ossi added: "The summer break has been good. I was able to relax and spend some time away with my people, before heading back home for some training on the bikes. 

"It will be nicᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ𒀱ᩚᩚᩚe to be racing again this weekend, but to be honest I’m not sure it is the best track for us. 

"We know the areas where ou🍌r bike is strong, but there are also areas that we need to improve and I think the Austrian track might not play to our strengths. 

"It is in a very beautiful place though, with a lot of green around it so although it is a difficult🎶 track, it is a nice place to be. 

"We will need to try to find the best b🔯alance for these next two races, as they are both at Spielberg, and aim to achieve the maximum that is possible for us."