Six-time MotoGP champion Valentino Rossi has been linked to a Ford drive in next year's Rally Mexico.
Rossi, 30, has long been linked to a full-time switch to rallying - and has already tackled three rounds of the World Rally Championship, his best result being 11th place in a Subaru Impreza WRC on the 2006 Rally New Zealand.
The Italian established links with the Stobart Ford team on last year's Rally GB, where he finished 13th in a Focus RS WRC 08. Rossi has reportedly confirmed his participation in Mexico to Italian journalists and Ford team principal Malcolm Wilson says he would love to see him back in a Focus next year.
"We haven't spoken about it [Mexico]," said Wilson, "but for sure, we'd be delighted to have him back in the car and anything is possible. We could certainly accommodate him in a World Rally Car, it's just a case of sorting out the details."
Wilson added that he had been impressed with the Italian's performance on last year's Rally GB, but felt he could improve on 13th place in central America.
"Once he got the confidence in the car, he was very good," said Wilson. "To do what he did in those kind of treacherously icy conditions on last year's Rally GB was very impressive and I'm sure he'll be even quicker if he gets somewhere – like Mexico – where the conditions are more consistent."
The Yamaha rider's bike racing season will not start until April next year, allowing him to tackle the Leon-based round of the World Rally Championship in March.