Ferrari has announced that that it has signed Brazilian driver Felipe Massa as an official test driver for 2003 in place of departing compatriot Luciano Burti.

The 21-year-old has long been touted to land a testing role with the world champions but after being beaten by Ralph Firman to a drive with Jordan in the past week, the option to become a reserve driver for Ferrari became his most viable opportunity.

Massa has long been linked to Ferrari, and made his debut using Petronas-badged Ferrari engines for Sauber last year. The driver was tipped to land a testing role with Ferrari as long ago as last November when he was replaced by Heinz-Harald Frentzen, but rumours much earlier in the season had indicated that Massa was being groomed as a potential future star for the Italian marque.

Massa will work alongside Luca Badoer in Ferrari's test team, but with his recent race experience could be used as a reserve driver should either Michael Schumacher or Rubens Barrichello be forced to miss a grand prix.

Massa's first public appearance for the squad will come at the launch of the marque's 2003 car in Maranello tomorrow (Friday).