Valentino Rossi, the current MotoGP four-stroke World Champion, tested an F1 Ferrari at Fiorano yesterday.

Under conditions of great secrecy and hidden under a helmet similar to Schuey's, he completed at least 20 laps in an F2004. His best lap time was allegedly around 59 secs, about 3 seconds off the lap record.

The 25 year old charismatic Italian, a multiple world champion on two wheels, has often spoken of his desire to race in F1. In a move which shocked the 'bike world, he changed teams from Honda to Yamaha this season, because it was a bigger challenge - a move which commentators equated to Schumacher moving from Ferrari to Sauber.

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He took a superb victory for his new team in the South African GP on Sunday with a stunning display of speed, control and aggression. This performance, on a clearly inferior machine (his team mate came 10th), was reminiscent of Schuey in his first season at Ferrari.

It is obviously very early days, but if Rossi does move to cars and races for Ferrari, let us hope he is as successful as the last 'bike racer to do so. John Surtees won the F1 title for Ferrari 40 years ago this year and is still the only man to win World Championships on two and four wheels.

It's got to be worth Ferrari's time to give Rossi a test as there's still no "heir apparent" to Schuey in the car world.