Marco Melandri may take a year off MotoGP if Kawasaki cannot find a buyer for its team, the Italian said.
The Japanese firm said earlier this month it was pulling out of the sport and would try to sell to an independent team.
"It wouldn't be great but ... to stop for a year would not be a huge problem," he said.
Melandri, who joined Kawasaki at the end of this season following a disappointing year with Ducati, said he hoped for a decision on a possible sale on Wednesday.
"I'm waiting. I hope the date is not put back because it is better to know for sure that you won't be racing, rather than carrying on with uncertainty," he added.
American John Hopkins was due to be his partner at Kawasaki next season.