Rossi to test even more - 2nd February 23:21pm GMT

Motorcycling world champion Valentino Rossi will have more Formula One tests with Ferrari in the next few months after a promising three days alongside other drivers in Spain.

"It has been a very interesting test, considering how it was the first time I lapped in a Formula One car along with other drivers," the Italian told the Ferrari website.

"I have to say I felt at ease and had no particular problems. Maybe I need a little more experience of driving on a wet track.

"I did not come here to show anything to anybody but simply to broaden my understanding of a Formula One car and I thank Ferrari for continuing to give me this opportunity," added the 26-year-old.

"In the next few months there will be more tests but now I go back to motorcycling, which is foremost in my thoughts. I, like Ferrari, have a task to face. We both have championships to compete in and, possibly, to win."

A Ferrari spokesman confirmed that Rossi would take part in further tests with the team but said no schedule had been drawn up yet.

Rossi lapped ninth fastest of 15 drivers in Valencia on Wednesday and, despite a few spins, also acquitted himself well on Thursday when he completed 53 laps and was just over a second slower than Brazilian Felipe Massa.

The Italian, winner in motorcycling's top category for the past five years, is seen as a serious prospect to switch from two wheels to four in the future.

"Tuesday's start was not positive, I did half a lap on the wet track and then spun," the ANSA news agency quoted Rossi as saying. "But things went better in the dry.

"I learnt so many things and above all I am happy with the atmosphere in Ferrari.

"There are a lot of very, very able people, the atmosphere is just right, it is calm and this allows you to develop so much, to learn how to drive the car and how to take it to the limit," added the Yamaha rider.