Coulthard in Ferrari test link

The Scot ended his nine-year partnership with McLaren at the Brazilian Grand Prix in October, but the 33-year-old has failed to secure a race seat for next year.

"If a sensible opportunity to race doesn't arise, then it would be foolish to rule out a serious testing opportunity," he told this week's Autosport magazine. "I have had conversations along these lines and if that would enable me to stay in F1 next year, with the freedom to return to racing whenever an opportunity came up, I wouldn't turn it away."

It is thought that Coulthard has already had preliminary talks with both Ferrari and Renault.

"Obviously by far my preferred option is to race, but if there are no seats available, then I have to keep an open mind," Coulthard added. "I'm convinced it would be better to remain sharp by driving the cars all year rather than hoping to keep race fit by spending a year in the gym. Jacques [Villeneuve] found coming back very difficult, even though he's in good shape, simply because of the pounding your internal organs take from being thrown around."

Coulthard is still in with a shout of clinching the second Williams seat, but he faces stiff competition from BAR test driver Anthony Davidson and Jordan's Nick Heidfeld, who are both scheduled to have tests with the team in the coming weeks along with current Williams test driver Antonio Pizzonia.

The Scot is also being considered by Red Bull Racing, who on Monday confirmed the buy-out of Jaguar Racing. Team boss Tony Purnell he has spoken to Coulthard about his 2005 plans. In the meantime the squad has set up a test with F3000 champion Vitantonio Liuzzi at Barcelona from November 24-26.