MOTOGP legend Valentino Rossi may steam up his lid as he says a tearful goodbye to the last-ever MotoGP race at Donington Park today.

The Leicestershire circuit will lose MotoGP to Silverstone next season and was forced to swap its F1 event with Donington - but only if it is completed on time.

"It's a great pity that this is the last time, because this track is very suitable for motorcycles and it's always a great pleasure to ride the bike here," said Rossi.

"Also the weather is the famous English weather, so sometimes you have to fight with the rain and cold, sometimes the wind, but the track is great. The last part is a little bit too tight, but the rest is one of the best.

"I have a lot of memories at this track, first victory with the 500cc, a lot of great battles with Loris and with Marco in 2006 on the last lap. I haven't won since 2005, also because Casey for the last two years was very strong.

"Last year was very frustrating because I was second behind Casey but it was not possible to fight him for the victory, so we'll try this year to do better."

But championship rival Casey Stoner - currently 28 points behind Rossi - doesn't share the Italian's sentiments and is glad to see the back of the track.

The Aussie declared: "From day one I don't think I've ever liked this track, we've never really enjoyed this circuit.

"I remember when I first came here the only part of the track I liked was the Esses down to the last two hairpins. That was about it, because you could back it in a little bit going in. The rest of the track, for me, was just a lot of hard work and not a lot of fun.

"But to be honest, since I got on a MotoGP bike it's been a little bit more exciting. But still it's very hard work this track.

"Being near the airport, the track in the wet is unbelievably slippery, so you've really got to be on your toes every lap at this track and make sure you don't make any mistakes."

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LOSING IT'S FIZZ - Rubens Barrichello with team-mate Jenson Button

RUBENS BARRICHELLO COULD GO

MUCH-LOVED Brazilian Rubens Barrichello has confessed he is thinking about retirement and could exit the sport as early as next year.

The 37-year-old Brawn GP driver is not writing his chances off just yet as he could still win the title this season, sitting just 24 points behind team-mate and current leader Jenson Button.

Barrichello - who has been in F1 for 17 years and made 276 starts but has never won a championship - will not commit himself past this season and hasn't ruled out retirement.

"I love the sport, I've been doing this for 17 years," he said. "95 per cent of my feelings are to keep on. I love it, I have a lot of speed in myself, but five per cent tells me, 'Why do you need it?'

"It's something that's on my mind, even though it's only five per cent, but next year is too far away for me to decide anything.

"I'm here for the love of the sport more than anything else, you ask me why I haven't won yet? It's not like I don't care. I'm a better driver with all the problems.

"So I have to go for the next one, I cannot put pressure on myself, but things could be brighter, so I'll keep on smiling and pushing.

"This weekend can be quite good, so I'm definitely not putting any of the problems of the last race into this one."

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KOP THAT - The Liverpool car in the footy-themed series

GREAT SCOTT MANSELL'S BACK

BRITISH youngster Scott Mansell has been drafted in for the footy-themed Superleague Formula series at Donington next weekend - THREE years after he last raced.

The 23-year-old last competed in the Indy Pro series in 2006 and will replace Duncan Tappy in the Galatasaray car.

"I've seen the Superleague Formula car run on a number of occasions and it looks like a great car," said Mansell, who is no relation to former F1 World Champ Nigel Mansell.

"A lot of the driving I have done has been in quick single-seaters, in particular ex-F1 cars which are close to the pace of the Superleauge Formula cars, so hopefully the transition will be a smooth one."

"There won't be an opportunity to test before practice begins on Saturday, There are three 30-minute sessions of practice before qualifying begins, so I should be well up to speed by then.

Win tickets to the Superleage Formula

"Hopefully, the weather will remain consistent so I can get a good feel for the car.

"My last race was in '06, in IndyPro at the Indianapolis USGP. I was en route for a third or fourth when the car had an electrical problem and stopped.

"Since then I've been testing and developing ex-F1 cars for some clients. They're great to keep you fit and sharp."

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KIMI RAIKKONEN REVS UP

WRC driver Anton Alen has confirmed he will partner long-term pal and fellow countryman Kimi Raikkonen in next week's Rally Finland.

Alen - son of rally legend Markku - will participate in his home round of the World Rally Championship in his current Abarth Grande Punto S2000 in Jyvaskyla next Thursday.

He said: "Kimi's going to have a lot of fun on the event, but for me it's a very important rally, I haven't had the best of seasons yet and hopefully I can turn that around with the right result next week."

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