Rossi says F1 is still too far for him

Ferrari's World Champion Schumacher said on Thursday that Rossi could become a Formula One driver if he wanted, having shone in testing with the Italian squad.

"I think he could become a Formula One driver," Schumacher said. "He seemed to go pretty well in the tests he has been doing with us.

"But then there is always the question mark, can you do the last little bit? And that's always something you have to find out yourself after more experience in the car and I'm not sure he wants to do this or not."

But while Rossi was thankful for Schumacher's comments, the five-time MotoGP champion reckons he is still focused on riding his Yamaha and hinted his future could lie in the motorcycling championship.

"To be blessed by the number one guy is important, but F1 is still something very far off," Rossi told Gazzetta dello Sport. "For now I remain absolutely a moto rider. This year I'll race again with Yamaha, and maybe I will in the future too; we'll see.

"I personally met Michael some years ago and I found him very pleasant. He's a great driver, I really hope he'll get back to winning ways. I support Ferrari and Schumacher. Obviously to win again won't be easy, as always, but he's gone really quick in testing."