Factory Honda in a satellite team for Rossi?
Nakamoto: "For next year, it was not possible to integrate Rossi into the official Repsol team, but I am willing to offer him an official bike in a satellite team."
A FACTORY Honda RCV could be available for Valentino Rossi in a satellite as HRC boss Shuhei Nakamoto admitted his interest in the nine-time champion, according to French media.
The confirmation of both Dani Pedrosa and Marc Marquez to the Repsol Honda team seemingly put a close to Rossi's return to the Honda fold, but according to French website Moto Quotidien, Nakamoto reportedly said: "It would please me to work with Valentino. When he was riding with Honda, I was in charge of Formula 1."
He added: "For next year, it was not possible to integrate Rossi into the official Repsol team, but I am willing to offer him an official bike in a satellite team."
From 2013 the number of bikes a manufacturer can supply will be restricted to two factory entries and two satellite entries, meaning that the likely satellite home for Rossi would be within the Gresini outfit and replacing Alvaro Bautista, as LCR have a contract in place with Stefan Bradl for next year.
However, with the gradual turnaround of the Ducati's performance and the prospect of Audi bringing their technical weight, it is more likely that Rossi will continue his ambition to win on an Italian bike.
