Valentino Rossi has not ruled out winning the MotoGP world championship in 2012, but admits he faces a tough task to win the title.
Italian veteran admits Ducati have a long way to go to match frontrunners
Valentino Rossi has not ruled out reclaiming the MotoGP world championship crown in 2012, but admits that winning the title will be unlikely.
The 32-year-old Italian is a seven-time champion in the top class but has lost out to Jorge Lorenzo and Casey Stoner over the last two seasons.
Rossi endured a miserable maiden season with Ducati in 2011, managing just one podium position in the whole campaign and finishing a lowly seventh in the points standings.
And while Rossi is confident he can be closer to the front next year, he thinks the gap to the dominant Repsol Hondas and Yamahas may be too big to eradicate completely.
"I don't want to take myself out of the running before the championship even begins but you have to be realistic - we know that we have 1.5 seconds (per lap) to make up," he said.
Success
"Our aim has to be to close in on Honda and Yamaha and only by doing so will we be able to fight for success."
Rossi was hampered by a shoulder problem at the start of last season but says he will not have any fitness worries heading into the 2012 campaign.
He added: "Last year I had to take into account my shoulder problems until Barcelona (the fifth race of the season) but this season I'm in shape.
"My hunger to win is undiminished even though, obviously, I belong to another generation and I have to take into account younger and more battle-hardened rivals than I had in the past."
Rossi also dismissed any suggestions that he was ready to retire, insisting he wanted to reach the top with Ducati before calling it a day.
He said: "I want to make Ducati strong before I stop. I would like a new two-year contract with Ducati, maybe my last, and then I'll think about how to have fun."
