Ferrari keeps door open for Rossi

The Italian star tested for the Maranello based outfit earlier this year and has been at the centre of speculation about grabbing a race seat with the team in 2006 if he chose to switch categories - although those rumours were all but wiped out when Rossi made it clear in Valencia last weekend that he was fully committed to bikes at least until 2007.

But reacting to Rossi's latest comments, Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo has told Italian media that his team remains very interested in Rossi .

"We can see that Valentino is a great champion, and his results speak for themselves," he said. "He has time and he still wants to gain a lot with motorbikes but, saying that, we will see. He is a great champion and Ferrari always thinks next to the future."

The delay of a possible Rossi switch to F1 until 2007 could actually boost his chances of landing a front-running seat straight away - because that is when world champion Michael Schumacher's contract with Ferrari runs out.

Should the German decide to hang up his helmet then, it would leave an obvious vacancy at Ferrari and the team might be willing to slot Rossi in alongside either the experienced Rubens Barrichello or Felipe Massa.