Ferrari has revealed that MotoGP superstar, Valentino Rossi, is to take part in next week's three-day test at Valencia, alongside Michael Schumacher and Felipe Massa.

There has been continued speculation, and subsequent denials, that the Italian is looking to enter F1, however, the test, especially at such a crucial stage in the team's pre-season programme, will surely give the rumour-mill added weight.

Rossi has taken part in a number of tests with Ferrari, but last year appeared to rubbish talk of a switch to four wheels, only for Ross Brawn and Jean Todt to reveal that further tests were planned.

With doubts over Michael Schumacher's future - the German has said that he will decide mid-season if he is to race in 2007 - there is endless speculation as to the Scuderia's line-up next year, fuelled by the fact that Fernando Alonso is joining McLaren, a situation that probably won't go down well with Kimi Raikkonen, and the fact that Massa is on a one-year deal.

Attempting to clear up some of the rumours, team boss Jean Todt, recently said: "He (Rossi) is going to do some further tests in the next few months.

"He took a commitment and for us it's a pleasure to see him driving our car in tests," he added, "though I cannot say if one day he is going to drive Formula One as an official driver or not because many elements are missing in this."

Commenting directly on claims that Rossi might race for Ferrari, Todt said: "Firstly, we are going to have to be sure that he wants to do it. Then, we are going to have to have an availability within the team. So there are many elements involved and I say this with great transparency and great honesty.