Valentino Rossi has hinted that a helping hand from Ducati's new owners Audi could persuade him to do stay with the manufacturer for another season in MotoGP.

Rossi is thought to be mulling over a new deal from Bologna but also considering a shock return to Yamaha as a partner to auld enemy Jorge Lorenzo, who has said he wouldn't be averse to sharing a garage with the Italian again. Audi top brass were in attendance at the German round, pressing the flesh with MotoGP boss Carmelo Ezpeleta.

Speaking at the Saschsenring round, The Doctor said: "They (Audi) are very positive for the Ducati project, for help Ducati come back at the top and for make a competitive bike for try to win races. For Audi, is very important to do this with me.

"To have a brand and a factory like Audi help Ducati is huge, I think. We have to see. They have a lot of enthusiasm. We will speak and I have to decide for the next years."