Just when Valentino Rossi and his Fiat Yamaha team must focus all their energy and attention on closing the 60 point gap to Ducati’s Casey Stoner with just six races remaining, Rossi faces a massive personal income tax crisis. Apparently, Italian tax authorities challenge Rossi’s claim he is a resident of England for tax purposes, and not Italy. The result could be a huge tax bill owing to Italy (rumored to be as much as 100 million euros).
Is this the death knell for Rossi’s effort to regain the championship this year? It certainly doesn’t make it any easier.