Rossi is the centre of attention as he leaves hospital

Valentino Rossi says he will continue in MotoGP in 2011 when he has recovered from his broken leg, but has not said which team he will be riding for.

Rossi, 31, who faces months out after crashing in qualifying for the Italian Grand Prix, is in the final year of his contract with the Fiat Yamaha team.

"The incident will not influence my choices for next year in any way," said the seven-time MotoGP world champion.

"Last Saturday has changed nothing, I know I have a bike for next year."

Rossi is under contract with Yamaha until the end of the 2010 season, and in November 2009 told BBC Sport: "I am not 100% sure if I will stay with Yamaha - it depends on what happens next year.

606: DEBATE Your thoughts on Valentino Rossi

"I could change bike, ride for Ducati and try to win the world championship with an Italian bike. That would be a great motivation."

Rossi has had two operations since the crash in practice for last Sunday's Italian MotoGP, and has admitted that the crash was his own fault.

"I had a new tyre and I'd done two laps, then I slowed down because I had [Hector] Barbera behind me," he stated.

"When I came back onto the racing line [Dani] Pedrosa arrived and I didn't want to cause a problem for him so I moved again but then when I reopened the gas, it happened suddenly and unexpectedly.

"Seven seconds were enough to make the tyre drop temperature dramatically. The error was mine."

Rossi has revealed that while the operations have been a success, he now faced a long time with his leg elevated to avoid the risk of infection, before starting his rehabilitation.

"I want to heal the injury; that is the only thing I'm interested in," he commented.

"If I miss four races or six races, it doesn't make any difference. The right time to return could be [the Czech Grand Prix at] Brno, but it won't necessarily be like this."

Valentino Rossi breaks leg in horror crash

Rossi added that he had never had any thoughts about quitting as a result of the crash, and his main emotion was frustration at being forced to miss races for the first time since the start of his career.

"I will take all the time I need and be sure not to do anything stupid because I want to return quickly, but only if my condition allows it," he said.

"It's better to be careful, finish the rehabilitation in the best way and come back to race for many more years.

"I've heard of many other sportsmen, a lot in fact, who have had the same problem as me. One example for everyone: [Formula One driver] Mark Webber called me and he has had an exposed fracture of the right leg.

"He told me to be very patient and that I would have some moments of discomfort, but that in the end recovery was guaranteed."

Rossi has resolved to use his enforced lay-off to recover from a shoulder problem as well as the broken leg, adding that whenever he did return to the track, he would need time to get back into the swing of things.

"When I come back I will be in perfect shape, although it won't mean that I can win straight away," he reflected.

"When you return after an enforced break you not only have to think about the body, but also the mind. I won't be able to come back and win immediately."

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