MotoGP champion Rossi drives again for Ferrari

Valentino Rossi has wasted no time in getting back behind the wheel of a Ferrari Formula One car after the final race of the MotoGP season last weekend.

Ferrari said yesterday that the charismatic Italian, five times a winner of motorcycling's top class, was halfway through a three-day test with them.

Rossi has tested twice before for the former champions, secretly at Fiorano in April 2004 and more seriously last August. After spending Wednesday at Fiorano, near the team's Maranello factory, he moved to Mugello for more running yesterday and today in last year's F2004 car.

Rossi has won the last four MotoGP races at the track.

Italy's highest-paid sportsman is being courted by Ferrari as a possible replacement for seven-times world champion Michael Schumacher when the 36-year-old German eventually retires.

The Yamaha rider has yet to decide about his future but clearly wants to find out for himself how competitive he might be in a Formula One car.

The Gazzetta dello Sport website said Rossi lapped the Fiorano circuit in around 58 seconds, compared to Schumacher's record of 55.9.