Any deal needs to pass the 100-member Senate, which is controlled by Democrats, before heading to the House of Representatives, where Republicans hold the majority.
It was the Italian's first wet-weather pole since Imola in 1996, when he was in the 125cc class, proof that if Lorenzo is heading for the exit door Rossi is happy to hold it open - and even give him a boot up the backside on the way out for good measure.