LONDON (Reuters) – Motorcycling world champion Valentino Rossi has said a switch to more powerful engines in 2012 could persuade him to stay in MotoGP.

The Italian added in an interview conducted by his Yamaha team ahead of the first test of the season in Malaysia that he was unlikely to switch to Formula One, despite recently testing again for Ferrari.

“Theoretically I am very happy to go back to the 1,000cc (bikes) because I like it more than 800cc and it is more fun,” the 30-year-old said of the proposed rule change for the top category.

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KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters) – Organisers of the Malaysian MotoGP, Moto2 and 125cc races are to agree a five-year extension to continue hosting the event and will secure a place for a local rider to compete in the championship until 2015.

The deal to be signed with rights holders Dorna, subject to ministry approval, is a further boost for the sport in Malaysia, with the expected announcement of a team from the Southeast Asian country competing in the 125cc class.

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MILAN (Reuters) – Aprilia will not enter bikes in next year’s new Moto2 championship because of the enforced use of Honda engines, the firm’s parent company said on Tuesday.

Moto2, a 600cc class, will replace the 250cc category next season as the accompanying smaller series for MotoGP.

In an effort to cut costs after the global recession, all bikes will have to use Honda engines and Dunlop tyres.

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MotoGP rights holders Dorna Sports S.L. have reached an agreement with IVECO (part of the FIAT Group) to become the title sponsors of the 2009 IVECO Australian Grand Prix. This new partnership teams a world leader in transport services with one of the world’s premier motorcycle racing events.
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