Andrea Dovizioso has turned down several offers to become a test rider in MotoGP next season, saying he plans to return to racing only when he finds the right project.
Dovizioso will leave Ducati at the end of the season, bringing an end to his eight-year association with the team.
The Italian, 34, who has finished runner-up in the championship in the past three seasons, said in October that he was open to becoming a test rider, but he has had a change of heart.
"Over the last few months, I have received several offers to work as a test rider in developing MotoGP projects and I am grateful for the consideration," Dovizioso said in a statement.
"However, I have decided not to make any commitments and to remain free from formal agreements for now.
"I still have the ambition to compete and fight to win. I will return to MotoGP as soon as I find a project driven by the same passion and ambition that I have, and within an organization that shares my same objectives, values and working methods."
Dovizioso, who is sixth in the world championship standings, said he would focus on securing a strong finish to the season, which has two races remaining.
Suzuki rider Joan Mir leads the standings by 37 points from Fabio Quartararo after claiming his first MotoGP win in the European Grand Prix in Valencia on Sunday.