Trulli would welcome Rossi to F1

"I'm pleased that he carries on testing. He's still enjoying himself, he's getting experienced, and when he's ready he'll become one of us," Trulli told Gazzetta dello Sport.

Rossi has had three separate outings with Ferrari, starting with a secret session at Fiorano in 2004 before another last August and one this month.

The Italian is being courted by Ferrari as a possible replacement for Michael Schumacher.

Trulli suggested Rossi could end up in Ferrari thanks to his image more than his driving skill, but claimed he would still be pleased for the rider.

"For me Ferrari isn't an objective, rather a dream that comes true only if you are a good driver," he said. "In the case of Vale it could be a matter of image, but it doesn't bother me at all.

"Rossi will be welcome in F1, but he'll have a hard time, because that's what Grands Prix are like."